The APCR’s national secretary cites professional obligations with civil rights organisation
NEW DELHI – Rights activist Nadeem Khan has filed a petition before the Delhi High Court seeking permission to travel outside the national capital. The request on Tuesday follows the conditions on his bail prohibiting him from leaving Delhi without prior court approval.
Khan, the national secretary of the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), was granted bail under these terms after being accused of promoting enmity and criminal conspiracy.
The case against Khan stems from a controversial video on social media, which allegedly incited communal tensions. The Delhi Police claimed the video could potentially stir violence, creating enmity between communities. Despite these allegations, Khan has maintained his innocence and continues to assert that his actions were in line with promoting peace and justice.
Khan’s lawyer argued that the travel restriction significantly hampers his ability to carry out his work with the NGO, which requires him to travel outside Delhi for various projects. “Mr Khan is actively involved in civil rights work, and it is crucial for him to engage with communities outside Delhi. The current restrictions are impeding his professional responsibilities,” his lawyer said during the hearing.
The petition, initially heard before Justice Ravinder Dudeja, was transferred to Justice Jasmeet Singh’s court. The case was scheduled for further hearing on April 21. Khan’s legal team is hoping for a favourable outcome, with the promise that he would continue cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
The high court had earlier disposed of a petition filed by Khan’s organisation, which sought the quashing of the case against him. The petition was disposed of after police assured the court that Khan would not be arrested without prior notice.
“I will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in the investigation,” Khan assured the court, stressing his commitment to following legal procedures. This assurance comes in light of the case filed against him at the Shaheen Bagh police station, stemming from events in November 2024.
The case highlights the tensions surrounding the promotion of social media content and its potential consequences in an increasingly volatile political environment. Khan’s ongoing legal battle adds to the larger conversation about freedom of expression, activism, and the government’s stance on civil rights within India’s legal framework.
