The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to a law intern in jail for close to two months over alleged recording of trial court proceedings and links with the banned PFI, after she said she was “implicated in a false, baseless, politically motivated and communally charged case” at the behest of outfits close to the BJP.

A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M. Trivedi directed the release of Sonu Mansoori, a resident of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, after additional solicitor-general K.M. Natraj, appearing for the state government, said he did not want to stand in the way of her bail application considering her young age. Mansoori, in her 20s, has been in jail since January 28.

“Although her bail application has been rejected (by the Indore trial court), I don’t want to stand in the way of the girl. Kindly enlarge her on bail,” Natraj told the bench.

Natraj’s gesture evoked appreciation from senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Mansoori, and co-petitioner Noorjahan.

“The learned ASG has taken a very fair stand. I am grateful,” Dave told the bench.

The bench passed the following order while listing for further hearing on April 12 the application of Noorjahan challenging the criminal cases filed against her and Mansoori: “After having heard learned counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the material on record, we are inclined to release Petitioner No. 2 — Sonu Mansoori — from jail, to which the learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the State has no objection. Ordered accordingly.

“It is directed that Petitioner No. 2 shall be released from jail forthwith on furnishing personal bond of Rs 5,000 to the satisfaction of the trial court.

“Let this order be communicated through the Registrar General of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh forthwith. The interim application is disposed of accordingly. Let the writ petition be listed on 12.04.2023.”