The National Security Act (NSA) case against Bajrang Dal leader, Vivek Premi, has been revoked by the Centre. Premi was incarcerated for allegedly parading a Muslim man through a market in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, before blackening his face and beating him up. He has been in jail since June 2005.
The district administration had invoked the NSA against Premi, saying that his actions instigated communal tension in the city. A video showing Premi beating up the man had gone viral on social media.
The Ministry of Home Affairs order, accessed by The Indian Express, states:
Report in The Indian ExpressAfter careful consideration of the representation, the Central government is pleased to revoke under section 14 (1) of the National Security Act, 1980. The detenu may be released forthwith from the jail unless he is required to be kept in jail for any other case. He may be tried in the cases registered under the normal law of the land and a watch may be kept on his activities.
The government’s decision paves the way for Premi’s release, once he applies for bail in other cases lodged against him.