Toolkit case: Goa-based activist Subham Kar Chaudhuri files for anticipatory bail

An environmental activist filed for anticipatory bail before the Bombay High Court bench in Goa on Tuesday following the controversy linked to the Greta Thunberg-endorsed toolkit in support of farmer's protests.

Subham Kar Chaudhuri, known to two accused in the toolkit case Nikita Jacob and Shantanu Mulukm, expressed apprehension that the Delhi Police Special Cell -- which is investigating the case -- may falsely implicate and arrest him.

"Though the petitioner has not been named in the said FIR, apparently, respondent no. 2 (Delhi Police) seeks to falsely implicate the petitioner in the offences alleged in the said FIR, with which he has no connection whatsoever," the anticipatory bail application filed by Chaudhuri in the Bombay High Court bench in Goa has said. Notices have already been sent to the Delhi police to file their say in response to the petition.

Read: Toolkit case: Nikita Jacob moves Delhi court for anticipatory bail

Chaudhuri, 29, has been living in Goa for some time now and has been campaigning for accreditation for Goa's unique estuarine land farming systems referred to as Khazan farming with the UN.

Chaudhuri said that he had been in touch with Muluk and Jacob, both of whom have been booked for conspiracy and sedition in the toolkit case, but their interaction had been in connection with another project altogether.

"Nikita Jacob and Shantanu Muluk happen to be members of the Extinction Rebellion India chapter, and his interaction with the said persons is strictly in the capacity as liaison and in their capacity as volunteers in Extinction Rebellion -- which is completely unconnected with the offences that the hypothesis of the Delhi police alleges. The petitioner reiterates that he has nothing whatsoever to do with the making of the alleged 'toolkit'," his petition states.

Chaudhuri also said that over the last few days, he had been contacted by a Delhi Police personnel, who was seeking to know his whereabouts in Goa, which the petitioner says, led him to fear his arrest and false implication in the sensational case.