Delhi High Court allows 2020 riots accused Natasha Narwal to travel to U.K. for academic conference

The Delhi High Court on Friday permitted activist Natasha Narwal, who is out on bail in cases arising from the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, to travel to the U.K. between November 2 and December 1 for academic purposes. 

Justice Amit Bansal directed the trial court to release Ms. Narwal’s passport and clarified that any pending lookout circular against her would remain suspended during her travel. 

Ms. Narwal, who is pursuing a PhD at a university in the U.K., had sought permission to travel to attend an academic conference and present her research. 

The court asked Ms. Narwal and her brother to submit written undertakings that she would return to India and not seek asylum in the U.K. It also directed her to furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000 in each of the two riots-related cases. 

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi police, opposed her plea, expressing apprehension that she might not return to India. 

On October 6, the trial court had rejected her request, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the stage of the proceedings. 

Ms. Narwal was named as an accused in three FIRs registered in connection with the riots, including a case alleging a larger conspiracy under the anti-terror law. 

In June 2021, the High Court granted bail to Ms. Narwal and Devangana Kalita, observing that “in an anxiety to suppress dissent, the State has blurred the line between right to protest and terrorist activity”. The court warned that if such a mindset gained traction, it would be a “sad day for democracy”.