National Conference (NC) leader Hilal Akbar Lone, who was booked under UAPA for alleged hate speech during the District Development Council (DDC) election campaigning last year, was released on bail late last night by a local court.

Lone, who is the son of NC MP from Baramulla Akbar Lone, was granted bail by Additional Session Judge Baramulla in the hate speech case. “Lone was granted bail on furnishing a local surety and a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh,” official sources said.

Lone was on February 16, 2021 booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for alleged 'hate speech' at a rally during DDC elections last year in north Kashmir.

The NC leader was arrested on February 15 from MLA hostel in Srinagar, where he was detained since December 25, days after DDC poll results were announced. “The NC leader was booked under FIR number 02/2021 under sections 153 A/ 188/ 505 IPC 13 of UAPA registered in Police Station Hajin,” they said.

On December 25 last year, Lone was detained in Sumbal area in north Kashmri district of Bandipora and then shifted to the MLA hostel here.

Hilal is also the elder son of member parliament from north Kashmir and senior NC leader Mohammad Akbar Lone. He was released late last night.

Earlier, Hilal was booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for delivering a ‘hate speech’ while addressing a public rally during DDC election campaign in Hajin last year.

The official said that Hilal was granted subject to the condition that he would furnish a surety bond of Rs 2 lakh and remain present during the trial.