'Does Not Promote Enmity': MP High Court Grants Bail To Men Accused Of Posting Instagram Reel 'Supporting Iran'

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to two men accused of posting an Instagram reel supporting Iran, observing that the reel did not promote enmity between different groups but only shows a protest in favour of a country presently at war with the USA. Justice Ramkumar Choubey observed; "The material placed in the case diary shows that the offence has been registered against the applicants only on the basis of material i.e. reel on Instagram in which the applicants along with others are sayings the words as mentioned hereinabove, which clearly shows that none of the content can be said to be promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., rather it is only showing a protest in favour of foreign country Iran, which is recently facing War with the United State of America". The men were booked under Section 196(1)(a) BNA for Promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony.The prosecution alleged that the complainant had filed a report on March 7 after coming across the reel on the social media platform Instagram showing the petitioners along with other persons saying "Iran Ka Sath Dene Ja Rahe Hai Sab Milkar Allahu Akbar Hindustan Ka Musalman Na Kal Dara Tha Na Ham Aaj Darengey." The counsel for the applicants contended that they were falsely implicated only on the pretext of the complainant, who followed a particular ideology. The counsel for the State argued that the matter is under investigation and other material is likely to be recovered; therefore, petitioners are not entitled to be enlarged on bail. Further, the bench noted that the police had registered the FIR against the applicants even without having sufficient material on record, and therefore, it was deemed to be a fit case for release on bail. Thus, the application was allowed, and the two men were granted bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 each with one surety in the like amount.Case Title: Wasim Khan and Others v State of Madhya Pradesh [MCRC-13867-2026]For Applicants: Advocates Zeeshan Siddiqui and Sharik Akeel FarooquiFor State: Advocate Amit PandeyClick here to read/download the Order

'Does Not Promote Enmity': MP High Court Grants Bail To Men Accused Of Posting Instagram Reel 'Supporting Iran'

Jayanti Pahwa

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