HC denies anticipatory bail to journalist

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused anticipatory bail to a journalist accused of circulating abusive and inflammatory digital content targeting the Purvanchal community.

Justice Sumeet Goel held the matter was not only serious, but possessed the potential to disturb public order and peace among the communities.

“At this stage, such material cannot be brushed aside as wholly unreliable and the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner would hamper the ongoing investigation and undermine the effort to maintain communal harmony,” Justice Goel asserted.

Sandeep Singh Attal had moved the court against the state seeking grant of anticipatory bail in a case registered on October 21 at Division No.7 police station in Ludhiana district.

Referring to electronic evidence gathered so far, including the supplementary statement and a pen-drive produced by the complainant, the court asserted: “It indicates that the petitioner, being a journalist, circulated abusive and inflammatory remarks against the Purvanchal community, migrant labourers and women of that community”. The allegations were also supported by a memorandum signed by several members of the community.

The court observed that the digital material produced during investigation prima facie indicated that the petitioner was instrumental in circulating content containing derogatory and inflammatory statements targeting specific groups.