The Rajasthan High Court on Friday granted bail to Naresh Meena in the case of violence and arson in the aftermath the incident of SDM slapping in Samaravta village on November 13 last year.
The Single Bench of Justice Pravir Bhatnagar granted the bail to Meena paving the way for his release from the jail after eight months detention under Judicial custody.
Accused Meena’s counsel Fatehram Meena turned emotional following his success in the eight months long trial on application for bail.
Earlier, a single bench of Justice Anil Kumar Upman had in May granted bail to Meena in the case of slapping an on-duty SDM (FIR 166/2024-Nagar Fort Tonk).
The slapping incident occurred during the assembly by-poll (on Deoli-Uniara seat) in Samaravta village, where Meena, himself an Independent candidate, had slapped the area magistrate, SDM Amit Choudhary, accusing him of coercing villagers to vote.
Following the incident Meena was arrested by the police. However, amid protests villagers clashed with police and freed Meena from custody.
Later that night and the following morning, police used force, bursted tear gas shells to control the situation in Samaravta and nearby villages.
Meena was re-arrested in the early hours of November 14, 2024.