Patna High Court grants bail to a student for posting objectionable Facebook pictures of Hindu God and Goddess.

The Patna High Court granted regular bail to the Petitioner who had filed application seeking regular bail in connection with Case No. 485 of 2020 registered for the offences punishable under Section(s) 153(A), 294 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Sections 67 and 67(A) of Information Technology Act. The allegation against the petitioner as per the First Information Report was that the petitioner had shared some objectionable Facebook photographs of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted before the Court that the petitioner had not committed any offence in the manner alleged and there was no intention of the petitioner to hurt the religious feelings of other communities. The Counsel further submitted that from perusal of the First Information Report it was evident that the petitioner had shared the post of one Reehan Khan and that the post in question did not originate from the Facebook account of the petitioner.

The Counsel submitted that the petitioner was a 20 years old young boy and was a student and that Section 294 Indian Penal Code, Sections 67 and 67(A) of I.T. Act were bailable offences and from perusal of the allegation against the petitioner, it appeared that Section 153(A) was not attracted. The counsel further submitted that the petitioner had remained in custody since 9.8.2020 having no criminal antecedent and charge sheet has already been submitted in the matter.

Jawed Akhtar Vs. State of Bihar