New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today granted anticipatory bail to Zafarul Islam, chief of the Delhi Minority Commission, in pursuant to an FIR filed against him for allegedly posting communal statements on social media.
A single judge bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri noted that Zafarul had earlier duly cooperated in the investigations.
An FIR has been filed against him under section 124A and 153A of the Indian Penal Code charging him for Sedition and Promoting Enmity between groups. The FIR has been filed for the post stating, “…Mind you, bigots, Indian Muslims have opted until now not to complain to the Arabs and Muslim world about your hate campaigns and lynching and riots. The day they are pushed to do that, bigots will face an avalanche.”
Earlier, the court stated that ‘no coercive action’ should be taken against Khan till the next date of hearing. The court also directed the Delhi Police that prior notice be given to Khan well in advance if he has to be called for an investigation.
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The petition stated: “There’s false, inflammatory, malicious and distorted media coverage of the petitioners’ social media posts have already had the effect of inciting hatred against the petitioner, and causing him to be held in contempt in the eyes of the public. This is evident from frivolous and malicious complaints that have been filed against the Petitioner following such media coverage.”
– India Legal Bureau