Stay off social media for 2 months, study and plant trees: Madhya Pradesh HC's conditions for release of student on bail

A 18-year old student's release on bail was recently made conditional on his complying with a two-month social media ban by the Madhya Pradesh High Court (Harendra Tyagi Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh). .Charged with various offences under the Indian Penal Code including causing of hurt and criminal intimidation, the student had been in jail from June 24 onwards..In the student's plea for bail, Advocate Sushant Tiwari argued that a false case had been lodged and that he was a bright student of Agriculture Science. .The Court was further urged to consider the student's case sympathetically in view of the challenging time of COVID-19. Advocate Tiwari added that, even otherwise, the student has learnt his lesson the hard way, and that he would mend his ways and become a better citizen. .Justice Anand Pathak, in turn, agreed to grant bail without commenting on the merits of the case but "considering the peculiar fact situation, wherein, we are facing wrath of pandemic COVID-19.".Accordingly, bail was granted on the furnising of a Rs 50,000 personal bond and one like surety. .In addition, the Court also ordered for the bail applicant a digital detoxification by directing him to refrain from using WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media for two months. To this end, the Court has directed as follows:."Applicant shall remove himself from the WhatsApp and Facebook group and other Social Media groups for next two months and would not be present on any social media platform at all for two months for digital detoxification for personal reasons or for other reasons, otherwise, the bail shall be considered withdrawn."Madhya Pradhesh High Court.The Court added that, "Every month applicant shall have to submit report about his digital detoxification at the concerned police station and any default shall disentitle him from the benefit of bail.".Further, the Court has also imposed the following unique conditions:The applicant shall complete his study of PAT (Madhya Pradesh Pre Agriculture Test.The applicant shall install the Arogya Setu COVID-19 tracking app (if not already installed).The applicant should plant 5 fruit trees and protect all plants/ trees in his neighbourhood. The applicant shall submit photos of the plants within 30 days of his release. The applicant also has to submit the progress of the plants every 3 months..Other general conditions imposed include:That the bail applicant cooperate with the investigation.That the applicant not tamper with evidence, commit similar offences, contact the complainant or embarrass the complainant.That the applicant not to leave the country..Read the Order:.This is not the first time Justice Pathak has imposed unique conditions for the grant of bail. Bail conditions such as the planting of trees, the setting up of water harvesting facilities and community service at a primary health centre have featured in earlier orders passed by him as well. .Tree Plantation, Water Harvesting and more: How Community Service plays into bail orders by MP HC’s Justice Anand Pathak .After the COVID-19 pandemic, a condition to install the Arogya Setu app has also featured on various occasions in other orders passed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, including by Benches headed by Justice Pathak. .Register as Covid-19 Warriors, download Aarogya Setu, donate to PM CARES: MP HC brings in novel conditions for bail/ anticipatory bail