High Court grants bail to journalist Prashant Kanojia, arrested for posting a morphed tweet related to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya [Read Order] 

The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to journalist Prashant Kanojia who was arrested by UP Police for posting a morphed tweet related to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

The Single Bench of Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi after considering the undertaking of Journalist that he will not to misuse the liberty of bail granted under this order, granted the bail application filed by Journalist.

“The submission as regards the quantum of punishment or entitlement of the accused applicant to be released on bail could not be disputed on any tangible ground. Having regard to the totality of circumstances, a case for grant of bail is made out” held the Court.

The Journalist has also assured the court that he shall not intimidate the witnesses nor shall interfere with the course of justice in any manner. The Hazratganj police had arrested habitual fake news peddler Prashant Kanojia from his residence after he had morphed an image and had shared it on his social media post in an attempt to spread fake news and incite hatred among people.

The FIR was registered against Prashant Kanijia under Section-154 of the CrPC, 1973 and IPC sections 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153-B (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 420 (cheating), 465 (Punishment for forgery), 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 500 (Punishment for defamation), 505(1)(b) (likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public), 505(2) (offense committed in any place of worship or in any assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship) and 66 (imposed for non-payment of fine) in Police Station Hazratganj, District Lucknow.

Case details

Case: - BAIL No. - 6461 of 2020

Applicant: - Prashant Kanojia

Opposite Party: - State Of U.P. Thru. Senior Superintendent Of Police, Lko.

Counsel for Applicant: - Surangama Sharma

Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A.Quorum: Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi

Read Order@LatestLaws.com