Manipuri rights activist Irom Sharmila was on Wednesday acquitted by a Delhi court in a case of allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast unto death at Jantar Mantar here in 2006 deman
Manipuri rights activist Irom Sharmila was on Wednesday acquitted by a Delhi court in a case of allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast unto death at Jantar Mantar here in 2006 demanding scrapping of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA).
After the judgment was passed, 42-year-old Sharmila, who has been on fast for the last 16 years in Manipur demanding repeal of the AFSPA, said her struggle would continue till it is revoked. “The accused is acquitted in the case,” metropolitan magistrate Harvinder Singh said while pronouncing the order.
Talking to scribes outside the courtroom, Sharmila said, “My struggle will continue till the time AFPSA is repealed. It does not matter whether I am released from the jail or not.”
The court asked her to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000. However, she refused, saying, “I am following the path of Mahatma Gandhi.”
Her counsel V.K. Ohri tried to persuade her outside the courtroom to make her understand the purpose and importance of furnishing personal bond. She, however, replied, “I am not convinced.”
After the court was informed about it, the magistrate said the personal bond furnished by her when she was granted bail is extended by six months. “Since she is in judicial custody in some other cases and her presence could be secured before the appellate court... the personal bond furnished at that time is extended.”
When Sharmila left the court premises, a number of people accompanying her, raised slogans in her support and demanded repeal of AFPSA.
Sharmila was put on trial on March 4, 2013, for allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar on October 4, 2006.
She had earlier told the court that she was ready to end her fast if the controversial AFSPA was repealed.
Sharmila, who is fed through nasal tube, was put on trial after she refused to plead guilty to the charge of attempting to commit suicide (section 309 of IPC).
