[Alwar riots] Rajasthan High Court to consider anticipatory bail plea of News18's Aman Chopra after examining video of programme

The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday said that it would view the video recording of the news programme anchored by News18 journalist Aman Chopra in order to decide Chopra's anticipatory bail plea filed in connection with the Alwar riots. .Justice Dinesh Mehta was of the opinion that since he had many matters listed before him, he would view the video in his chamber in order to avoid wasting judicial time."Having regard to a large number of cases listed on board, instead of investing precious judicial time, this Court deems it appropriate to see the CD in chamber," the order recorded. With this, he posted the matter for hearing on Wednesday.Chopra was booked for allegedly instigating communal riots in Alwar district of Rajasthan on April 22.The allegation against Chopra was that the comments made by him while anchoring a television programme "Desh Jhukne Nhi Denge" ,which was also posted on his Twitter account, resulted in communal disharmony and riots.Three separate FIRs were registered against him in connection with the same. The first FIR was registered at Bichwada, second at a police station in Bundi Sadar on the same day while a third FIR was instituted at the Kotwali Police Station in Alwar.Chopra moved Court apprehending arrest in view of three separate FIRs. He contended that investigation in two subsequent FIRs must not be allowed to proceed as they were lodged maliciously just to harass him.Chopra was on May 8 granted protection from arrest till May 10 in two of the three First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against him. .When the case was taken up today, Chopra's counsel, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, moved a plea requesting the Court to view the CDs and the transcripts of the same to determine Chopra's role in the whole incident..Luthra pointed out that because of 'political interference' there was a likelihood of Chopra getting arrested anytime. Special Public Prosecutor Vinit Jain submitted that this apprehension was misplaced, as the Court was seized of his anticipatory bail plea. Justice Mehta ordered the prosecution not to arrest Chopra till tomorrow..Advocates Achintya Kaushik, Bhrigu Sharma, Manish Parmar, Amar Kumar and Mrinal Bharti also appeared for Chopra..[Read Order]