The Bombay High Court on Monday allowed an anticipatory bail application of a person accused of preparing false video clips thereby making false allegations of spitting by a people belonging to particular religious group in order to create religious divide.
The applicant was seeking Anticipatory Bail in connection with case registered at Shahunagar Police Station under sections 295(A), 499, 500, 504, 505 of the Indian Penal Code.
The allegations in the FIR were that the applicant had prepared a video clip making false allegations against particular religious group. The applicant had made false allegations that he was assaulted and some members had spitted on him. According to the FIR, the allegations in the video were false and the applicant had deliberately made such allegations to hurt religious feelings and has caused rift in the society.
The applicant’s counsel said that the applicant himself was assaulted and for the same, he had lodged a FIR at the same police station on 21st April, 2020. According to him, the applicant is falsely implicated in the case.
The Additional Public Prosecutor sought time to file a detailed reply to the application. At his request, the matter was adjourned. However, considering the nature of allegations in the background of the non-cognizable case filed by the applicant himself, the High Court granted ad-interim relief to the applicant till next date.
Acting upon the plea, the single judge bench of Justice Sarang V. Kotwal, made following observations:-
- In the event of the arrest of the applicant in connectionwith C.R. No. 170 of 2020 registered with Shahunagar Police Station, till the next date, the applicant is directed to be released on bail on his furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/-.
- This order shall remain in operation till 20th May 2020.
- The applicant shall attend the concerned police station asand when called and shall co-operate with the investigation.
The High Court has ordered to list the case on 20th of May, 2020.
–India Legal Bureau