New Delhi, May 11: A Delhi trial court today granted bail to Manipur human rights activist Irom Sharmila on a personal bond of Rs 10,000, after additional chief metropolitan magistrate Kamini Lau failed to convince the crusader to end her fast-unto-death.

Sharmila was brought to Delhi on an Indigo flight yesterday, following summons from the metropolitan court on charges of attempted suicide.

On being asked why she had refused to end her fast, Sharmila said, “It is God’s will”.

The magistrate countered this saying there are other ways of fighting for a cause, but Sharmila refused to change her mind till her demands were met.

The rights activist has been on a hungerstrike since November 2000 to press for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Manipur.

Eventually, Lau and Sharmila entered the chamber of the Patiala House Complex’s court number 4 for a private discussion. Nearly half-an-hour later, Lau granted Sharmila bail. The next date of hearing the legalities involved in the case was deferred to September 28.

Sharmila referred to the court case as part of her struggle and expressed her determination to continue her fast-unto-death.

Delhi police had arrested Sharmila in October last year, after she shifted her protest against the army act from Imphal to the national capital.

Her lawyers argue that she was illegally arrested and detained by the police since October 7 last year and that Section 309 of the IPC does not apply to their client, as “mere fasting cannot be construed as a criminal offence. She values life.”

Another argument put up was that Sharmila’s life was endangered because of the treatment meted out to her by Delhi and Manipur police.

Section 309 carries a maximum punishment of simple imprisonment of one year or a fine or both.

Sharmila will leave for Imphal tomorrow to continue her fast there.