Mumbai court stops arrest of climate activist's associate

Nationwide outrage sparks protest against arrest of activist

Police detain members of the National Students' Union of India during a protest in New Delhi against the arrest of climate activist Disha Ravi. AP

A Mumbai court on Wednesday granted bail to an associate of a 22-year-old climate activist whose arrest for promoting an action plan for farmers' protests caused outrage across the country.

Police had sought the arrest of Nikita Jacob, a Mumbai lawyer, for allegedly working with activist Disha Ravi on a document or "toolkit" that they said was used to foment violence during a mass protest by farmers in Delhi last month.

Mr Ravi, an activist linked to Swedish climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg, was arrested at the weekend on charges of sedition. He is in police custody.

But Ms Jacob petitioned a court in Mumbai to stop the police from carrying out her arrest warrant.

"The court has granted her three weeks' interim relief," Sanjukta Dey, Ms Jacob's lawyer, said outside the court.

"There is nothing in the toolkit about violence. It is only for creating awareness about farm laws. It's not for creating violence," Ms Dey said.

Security personnel clash with demonstrators during a rally in support of Indian farmers. The farmers are protesting at various locations at the capital, New Delhi. EPA

A protester is surrounded by security personnel at a demonstration in support of farmers, in New Delhi, India. Reuters

A demonstrator is held back behind a police shield at a rally in support of Indian farmers in New Delhi, India. Farmers are protesting against new farming laws. Reuters

Security personnel and protesters clash at a demonstration in solidarity with Indian farmers in New Delhi, India. Farmers say new laws leave them at the mercy of corporations. EPA

Security personnel, some carrying 'lathi' sticks for crowd control, block a road in New Delhi, India, during a protest in support of farmers. EPA

Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrives at press conference in New Delhi, India. Congress has called for the new farming laws to be repealed. EPA

Rakesh Tikait, a leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union farmers' group, is helped onstage at a Maha Panchayat village council meeting, in Kandela village, Jind district, Haryana state, India. Reuters

Rakesh Tikait, a leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union farmers' organisation at a grand village council meeting in Kandela village, Jind district, in Haryana state, India. Reuters

Rakesh Tikait, a leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union farmers' group, turns from the crowd at a grand village council meeting at Kandela village, Jind district, in Haryana state, India. Reuters

Farmers and supporters attend a grand village council meeting at Kandela village, Jind district, in Haryana state, India. Reuters

Protesting farmers encounter barbed wire and barricades placed by security personnel at the Delhi Ghazipur Border, near New Delhi, India. EPA

Indian lawyers from Punjab state attend a protest by farmers at the Delhi Ghazipur Border, near New Delhi, India. EPA

Villagers leave after a grand village council meeting as part of farmers' protests against farming laws, at Kandela, Jind district, in Haryana state, India. Reuters

Indian farmers with tractors and trailers protesting at the Delhi Ghazipur Border near New Delhi, India. EPA

Protesting Indian farmers rest in a trailer at the Delhi Ghazipur Border near New Delhi, India. EPA

Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference in New Delhi, India. Congress has backed the protesting farmers. EPA

Ms Dey said that Ms Jacob had already been questioned by police about the document and she was ready to co-operate with them in their investigations into the events of January 26, when farmers stormed the historic Red Fort in the old quarter of Delhi while the country was celebrating Republic Day.

Ms Thunberg tweeted a link to the toolkit in early February, drawing international attention to the farmers' campaign against the Indian government's move to deregulate agricultural markets and open them to private players. She later deleted the post.

Politicians, students and activists held protests against the arrest of Ms Ravi, a founding member of the local arm of Ms Thunberg's Fridays for Future climate change movement. On Wednesday, the student wing of the main opposition Congress party staged a protest in Delhi demanding her release.

A lawyer for Ms Ravi declined to comment. Her arrest comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government faces allegations it is suppressing dissent.