The Allahabad High Court denied bail to Ashraf Khan for posting objectionable content against PM Modi and the armed forces, saying misuse of social media under the cover of free speech has become a disturbing trend.
The Allahabad High Court denied bail to Ashraf Khan, who is accused of sharing objectionable content on social media targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian armed forces.
Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal remarked that “it has become a fashion among certain groups of people to misuse social media under the guise of freedom of speech.”
In rejecting Khan’s bail application, the court emphasized that the constitutional right to freedom of speech does not cover actions that disrespect high-ranking officials and foster discord among citizens.
The court stated that such misuse of social media involves making baseless allegations against dignitaries and spreading materials that incite hatred and disharmony.
Khan, also known as Nisrat, faces charges under sections 152 (actions threatening India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity) and 197 (prejudicial assertions against national integration) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Sasni police station in Hathras district.
He allegedly uploaded manipulated videos on his Facebook account during a recent military standoff between India and Pakistan.
The prosecution claims that Khan’s posts depicted Prime Minister Modi alongside a donkey pulling a cart and suggested he was seeking an apology from Pakistan.
Another post insinuated that Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force was pictured with the Pakistani army chief and suggested that Modi was fleeing from a Pakistani missile.
Additionally, one post reportedly expressed support for the Pakistan Air Force and depicted Indian aircraft being destroyed.
During the hearing, Khan’s counsel argued for his innocence, noting that the objectionable content had not been shared by Khan, despite being found on his mobile device.
Conversely, the state’s counsel contended that the posts incited discord among Indian citizens and disrespected the military and Air Force, thus opposing the bail request.