Saket court grants interim bail to Delhi couple accused of racially abusing neighbours from North-East

A Delhi court on Wednesday granted interim bail to a couple accused of using racial slurs against their neighbours from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Samar Vishal of the Saket Courts said that Ruby Jain alias Neeraj Jain and Harsh Priya Singh will remain on bail till April 13.

The Court ordered their release on interim bail after recording an undertaking that couple will vacate the premises where they reside on or before March 31 to avoid any confrontation with the victims.

Judge Vishal passed the order after observing that while the nature of the conduct attributed to the couple was reprehensible, no useful purpose would be served by their continued incarceration at this stage.

The Court added that it was putting in place appropriate safeguards to ensure that the investigation proceeds unhindered and also to make sure that accused persons refrain from influencing or intimidating the complainants or other witnesses.

The Court added that the accused couple shall conduct themselves in a manner befitting the law.

The case relates to an altercation between the accused and three neighbours who belong to scheduled tribe communities from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. According to the prosecution, the dispute began on February 21 when dust and drilling debris from the installation of an air conditioner in the victims’ rented fourth-floor flat fell onto the floor below, where the accused lived.

Delhi Police allege that instead of resolving the issue amicably, the couple confronted the victims and an electrician present at the site and began abusing them. During the altercation, the accused allegedly made racially derogatory and sexually coloured remarks about women from the northeastern region and publicly humiliated the victims.

They were then booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Ruby Jain was also booked under the provisions of the  Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

After considering the case, the Court observed that though there was no physical violence in the case, caste-based insults can cause deep harm.

Such remarks damage not only an individual but also the broader values of fraternity and mutual respect that sustain India’s diverse society, the Court added.

It further said that prejudiced speech weakens national unity and undermines the principle that human dignity is equal and indivisible.

"Language which derides identity or mocks heritage reflects not merely a lack of restraint but also a deficiency of civic sensibility. Citizens therefore needs to exercise restraint even in moments of anger, remembering always that courtesy in speech is the first sentinel of social peace," the Court added.

Advocate Gaurav appeared for Ruby Jain and Harsh Singh.

Delhi Police was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Arun Kumar Singh.

[Read Order]