The Supreme Court granted interim bail to comedian Munawar Faruqui in connection with the case registered against him by the Madhya Pradesh police for allegedly making ‘indecent’ remarks against the Hindu gods during a gig at a cafe in Indore. The court said that the allegations made against him in the FIR are vague.
On January 1, Faruqui and four others were arrested by the police reportedly based on a complaint filed by Eklavya Singh Gaur, chief of Hindutva organisation Hind Rakshak Sangathan. The complainant claims that the 32-year-old comedian had made objectionable remarks about Hindu gods and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Later, one more person was arrested.
In a separate case, the Supreme Court bench also stayed the production warrant of Uttar Pradesh Police against Faruqui. In addition, the Court issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh government stating that they haven’t followed the law laid down by the Apex Court in its 2014 judgment in Arnesh Kumar vs State of Bihar and procedures under Section 41 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was not followed.
During the hearing, Faruqui’s counsel has stressed that there was no material or video to show that Faruqui has made an ‘indecent’ comment to hurt Hindu gods. Earlier, a Sessions Court had rejected Faruqui’s bail plea and thereafter the Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 28.