Online Blog Case: Court grants bail to former SMC Secretary Sofi Akbar

Srinagar, Jul 19 (: A Special court here on Friday granted bail to former Secretary Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Sofi Akbar, accused in online blog “Kashmir Fight” case.

According to the news agency, after hearing prosecution and defence counsels, the court of Special Additional and Sessions Judge TADA/POTA Srinagar granted bail on a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh.

“The application filed by Sofi Mohammad Akbar herein seeking his admission on bail, is hereby allowed. The accused herein is directed to be enlarged on bail provided he shall furnish bail bond in the sum of one lakh rupees with two sureties in the like amount,” the court said.

The court, however, imposed certain conditions on Sofi including that he shall appear before the court on each and every date of hearing.

Other conditions include he shall not in any way misuse his liberty nor shall he get in touch with any of the witnesses or try to influence the course investigation; he shall not temper with the evidence of the prosecution in any manner; he shall not leave the territorial jurisdiction of this court without prior permission of the court.

On 7 July 2021, Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed to have arrested five persons running an online blog which ran smear campaigns against prominent personalities in Kashmir. The bail was granted to Sofi in FIR number 82/2020 under sections 13,16,18,20 ULAP Act at Police Station Kothibagh