Comedian Munawar Faruqui to remain behind bars

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has rejected the bail petition of stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui and his aide Nalin Yadav, who were arrested on January 2 over alleged indecent remarks against Hindu deities and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a show.

Rejecting the bail petition, Justice Rohit Arya said that considering the material seized and the statements of the witnesses and that the investigation is in progress, "no case is made out for grant of bail".
 

Justice Arya noted, "Fundamental Rights although confers rights but the duties and obligations are inherent thereunder. Every right is coupled with duty. Liberty of an individual has to be balanced with his duties and obligations towards his fellow citizens."
 

The judge observed: "There is also a specific assertion by the learned counsel for the complainant that the applicant along with other co-accused persons allegedly made outraging filthy jokes in social media deliberately against Hindu Gods, Lord Shriram and Goddess Seeta hurting religious sentiments of Hindus for the last 18 months despite, protest on various social media platforms. There is nothing on record to the contrary."

The court also stressed upon the need to ensure that "ecosystem and sustenance of coexistence in our welfare society are not polluted by negative forces."
 

The 29-year-old was arrested by Madhya Pradesh cops on January 2 on charges under Section 295-A (outraging religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 269 (negligent act likely to cause the spread of disease), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC.