Couple held for hurling racial slurs granted bail

A Delhi court has granted regular bail to the couple accused of racially abusing their neighbours from the Northeast in Delhi. Additional Sessions Judge Samar Vishal of the Saket Courts ordered Harsh Priya Singh and Ruby Jain, who were arrested on February 25 — five days after the incident — from their Malviya Nagar residence, to be released on bail. The couple appeared before the court upon the completion of their 30-day interim bail, which was granted last month. Their counsel told the court that the accused have complied with all bail conditions imposed on them. Mr. Singh and Ms. Jain have vacated their Malviya Nagar residence, where the incident occurred, and the details of the place they have relocated to has been conveyed to the authorities, he added.

Ms. Jain has been undergoing treatment for tuberculosis and continues to receive medical care, supported by hospital records, the lawyer told the court, adding that the case has “significantly harmed the reputation” of the couple, who have also issued public apologies on social media and personally expressed regret to the victims in the presence of their landlord. The lawyer representing the victims, who hail from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, opposed the bail plea and argued that such acts of racism should not be treated lightly. She pointed out that one of the victims returned to Manipur due to ongoing ethnic tensions while others faced emotional distress and disruption in their lives. The accused couple was arrested on February 25 by the Delhi police for hurling racial slurs. The dispute between the two parties began after debris from the installation of an air conditioner at the rented accommodation of the three women fell onto the couple living on the floor below. The incident took place on February 20.