Synopsis: During a recent stand-up show, Faruqui was arrested on charges that he made derogatory remarks against Hindu gods.
The bail application filed by comedian Munawar Faruqui was adjourned today, by the Madhya Pradesh High Court after the police failed to produce the case diary before the Bench.
During a recent stand-up show, Faruqui was arrested on charges that he made derogatory remarks against Hindu gods. Eklavya Singh Gaur, Chief of the Hindutva organisation Hind Rakshak Sangathan, reportedly filed a complaint to that effect.
A First Information Report (FIR) against Faruqui and four others, Nalin Yadav, Edvin Anthony, Prakhar Vyas and Priyam Vyas, had been filed by the police pursuant to the complaint.
They were charged under Section 295A (deliberately intending to outrage religious feelings), Section 298 (deliberately intending to harm religious feelings, Section 269 (negligent act likely to cause or spread disease) and Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servants) read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in support of common intent) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Faruqui, who was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Police on 1st January for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, appealed to a Sessions Court for bail on 2nd January. The Sessions Court, after hearing both the sides, rejected the bail application, mentioning the seriousness of the case, that there are no grounds for bail. The four were sent to judicial custody until January 13, according to this order. The quartet then approached the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, challenging this order.
During today’s hearing, Justice Rohit Arya was informed by the police that the case diary was not available to them.
The matter has now been listed on 22nd January. For Faruqui and the other applicants, Advocate Ankit Dhige appeared, while Advocate Kirti Patwardhan represented the State.