Raipur: Congress MLA from Bhilai, Devendra Yadav, who was lodged in Raipur jail in connection with the Balodabazar violence case, has been granted bail. The Supreme Court, after hearing his bail plea, issued directives for his release. Following necessary formalities, Yadav is expected to be released from Raipur jail by Friday evening. He had been in custody since August 17, 2024.
Balodabazar Violence Case
On June 10, 2024, members of the Satnami community protested against the vandalism of a Jaitkham (a religious symbol) by setting fire to the Collector and SP offices in Balodabazar. Devendra Yadav was accused of inciting the crowd and supporting the agitators, leading to a case being registered against him. Following the Supreme Court’s order, relevant documents will now be presented before the Balodabazar court.
Yadav’s Defence in the Supreme Court
During the hearing, Yadav’s legal team argued that he was merely present at the protest but neither stepped onto the stage nor delivered any speech. Therefore, they contended that he could not be held responsible for inciting the violence.
His lawyers also highlighted that the timing of his presence and the outbreak of violence did not coincide. Yadav was not at the scene when the unrest began. Furthermore, he was arrested from his residence in Bhilai, several kilometers away from the incident site. His defence team maintained that his arrest was politically motivated and based on a flawed investigation.
Events Leading to the Violence
- On May 15, 2024, a Jaitkham installed in Baghin Cave, about 5 km from the religious site Girodpuri Dham, was vandalized.
- Following the incident, protests erupted, demanding strict action.
- On May 19, the police arrested three individuals from Bihar, who allegedly confessed that they committed the act under the influence of alcohol due to a payment dispute with a contractor under the Nal-Jal Yojana (tap water scheme). However, the Satnami community remained unsatisfied with these arrests.
- On June 10, protests in Balodabazar escalated into violence. Government offices, including those of the Collector and SP, were set on fire, and several vehicles were torched. The police arrested around 200 individuals, including several public representatives.
Devendra Yadav’s Alleged Involvement
A video surfaced showing Yadav at the protest site, based on which he was issued a notice and summoned for questioning. He appeared before Balodabazar police once before his arrest on August 17.
Damage and Allegations Against Yadav
According to the police charge sheet, the Balodabazar violence caused losses amounting to ₹2.82 crore. Protesters vandalized and set fire to government and private vehicles, including fire brigade trucks. The offices of the SP and Collector were also torched.
Additionally, government employees and police personnel were assaulted, leaving many injured. Police reports claim that some protesters carried petrol bombs during the attack.
With Yadav’s bail granted by the Supreme Court, further legal proceedings will now continue in the lower court.
