Jafar and Darapuri, arrested during anti-CAA violence, walk out of jail

Congress spokesperson Sadaf Jafar and retired IPS officer SR Darapuri, who were arrested during anti-Citizenship law protests in Lucknow last month, walked out of the prison on Tuesday (January 7).

A Lucknow court had last Saturday granted bail to 15 persons, including Jafar and Darapuri, who were arrested in connection with the anti-CAA protests. However, the two could be released only three days later as some formalities could not be completed, sources said.

Also read | Arrested for anti-CAA stir, activist Sadaf Jafar, ex-IPS officer get bail

Soon after their release, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and said, “lies can never win.” Congress Lucknow president Mukesh Singh Chauhan told PTI that both walked out of jail at about 10 am.

“I was there along with other office party office bearers to receive them. Our party is against the CAA and against police brutality meted out to peaceful protesters,” he said. Jafar was arrested on December 19 while 76-year-old Darapuri was arrested the next day.

..मगर झूठ कभी नहीं जीत सकता। 2/2

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 7, 2020

“Ambedkarite thinker and former IPS SR Darapuri and Congress leader Sadaf Jafar released from jail today. When court had asked for proof, the state police appeared clueless. BJP showed its real ideology by arresting innocents and those taking forward the legacy of Baba Saheb Ambedkar,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

In another tweet, she said, “… but lies can never win.” She also posted pictures of Darapuri and Jafar on her Twitter account.

On December 28, Priyanka Gandhi had alleged that she was manhandled by police personnel when she tried to resist their attempts to stop her from visiting the Lucknow residence of Darapuri. Later, the Congress leader met the family of party worker Jafar and alleged she was arrested on “baseless” charges by the police.

(With inputs from agencies)