The Gujarat High Court has refused to grant bail to Congress leader Afzal Lakhani, who was arrested for posting anti-Indian and pro-Pakistani messages, besides derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother Hiraba.
The Single-Judge Bench of Justice Nirzar S. Desai observed on Tuesday that people who stayed in India should remain faithful to the country.
The High Court noted on perusal of the material that certain posts made by the applicant were abusive in nature, while some other posts had the potential to hurt the sentiments of a particular community. It further noted that there were other materials, which could have a larger impact on the society.
The Court further observed that a person may like or dislike a person, but it did not mean that he/she starts using derogatory and abusive language against the Prime Minister of the Country and his departed mother.
It said the language used in those posts was so insulting and derogatory that it was not possible for this court to reproduce any of those posts in this order.
The Single-Judge Bench noted that on overall consideration, it found that the present applicant has destabilised the peace and harmony of the society. Prima facie the posts were agenda-driven. If such a person was granted bail, there were chances that he may commit such offences again by creating pseudo-names and creating fake IDs, it added.
Lakhani had allegedly made 18 Facebook pages, in which he posted anti-Indian messages, which were of such nature that could create communal unrest in the society. The posts were allegedly targeted not just against the Prime Minister, but also against a particular community.
It was also alleged that the accused used to make international calls to Pakistan and other countries. The counsel appearing for the state further submitted that Lakhani used to post pornographic and obscene material on social media also.