#MamataBanerjeeMeme: BJP activist's arrest arbitrary, says SC
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the arrest of BJP activist Priyanka Sharma, who had shared a meme with a morphed picture of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee last week, was "prima facie arbitrary".
The top court also questioned the WB government why Priyanka was made to spend an additional night despite the court's order for her immediate release on Tuesday.
Here's more.
Details
Would've issued contempt notice if Priyanka wasn't released: SC
"The arrest was prime facie arbitrary," the Supreme Court said of Priyanka's arrest, adding that it would have issued a contempt notice if she wasn't released.
Priyanka, who is reportedly WB BJP's Youth Wing Convener, was arrested after she shared a meme in which CM Banerjee's face was morphed on a picture of actor Priyanka Chopra from the recent MET Gala in New York.
No apology
I will fight this case; will not apologize: Priyanka
Priyanka was released on Wednesday morning after spending five days in jail. On Tuesday, the SC reportedly asked the BJP activist to issue an apology.
However, Priyanka, today said that she will not apologize for sharing Banerjee's meme.
"I will fight this case. I will not apologize," she was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.
Statement
Question of apology doesn't arise; did nothing wrong: Priyanka
Speaking to reporters, after her release, Priyanka said that the question of apologizing for sharing the meme does not arise as she has done nothing wrong.
"My bail was granted yesterday, but still I wasn't released for another 18 hours. They didn't allow me to meet my advocate and family. They made me sign an apology," ANI quoted her as saying.
Torture in jail
Priyanka says she was also tortured in jail
Priyanka was also allegedly tortured in jail. "I was tortured in jail. The jailor pushed me," she said.
"They were very rude inside the jail and the general condition inside was also quite bad. They didn't let me speak to anyone despite getting bail, didn't let me speak to anyone for five days," she added.
The case
Priyanka forced to sign an apology before release: Lawyer
"Despite the Supreme Court ordering immediate release, she was kept in jail for around 24 hours and it's humiliation. She was forced to sign an apology before release...," said senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul appearing for Priyanka's brother.
"We were told that the closure report, in this case, has been filed... If closure report was filed, where is the need for apology?" asked Kaul.
Information
Despite SC order, Chief Judicial Magistrate's order was required: Government
The SC also questioned the West Bengal government's lawyer over the delay in Priyanka's release. The lawyer, however, said that despite the SC's order for her immediate release, the jail superintendent required the Chief Judicial Magistrate's order for the same.