A Sydney court has refused bail to Indian national Vishal Jood, charged for his alleged role in a series of assaults against Sikhs in Sydney’s west.
Hearing on Jood’s case was postponed after the defence pleaded for more time to prepare, citing the ‘complexity’ of the case.
The hearing on Vishal Jood’s case was adjourned to 12 August 2021 after Magistrate Feather refused him bail in all charges.
Jood is facing court after being arrested by the NSW police in April for his alleged role in a series of assaults against Sikhs in Sydney’s west.
Jood was charged with three counts of affray, three counts of armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, two counts of destroying or damaging property, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the company of other(s). These offences carry separate jail terms ranging between two and ten years.
The issue has made news in India where it has been alleged Vishal Jood was acting to protect the Indian flag from being dishonoured by ‘Khalistanis’. The Haryana Chief Minister has intervened in the matter and wrote to India’s Foreign Minister to release Vishal.
A group of Jood’s Harvanvi community members in India, with the support from political leaders that included BJP’s Kapil Mishra, have started a campaign demanding Jood’s release.
At the time of his arrest, Jood was reported to have been living in Australia under an expired visa.
Supporters have cited Jood’s nationalism and his defence of the Indian flag as the reason for his arrest and asked for consular support from the Indian Government to assist Jood with his court case.
Among the political leaders who tweeted in support of Jood were Kapil Mishra (BJP) and Tejinder Pal Singh Bagga, BJP’s spokesperson from Delhi.
Olympian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who is also from Haryana, was also among the public figures who tweeted in support of Jood.
The Indian national, who has been refused bail because of the seriousness of his charges, will appear in the Parramatta District Court on 1 July.
NRI Affairs News Desk
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