Allahabad HC Seeks State's Counter On Bail Plea Over FB Post Allegedly Disrespecting Indian Flag; Matter Posted For August

A bench of Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal called for a counter affidavit from the State Government along with coloured photographs of the offending post and deferred the matter to the second week of August.

Briefly put, the accused-Akeel has been booked under Sections 152 and 197 BNS for allegedly posting the Indian flag in a disrespectful manner, indirectly showing the defeat of India.

Seeking bail in the case, his counsel argued before the single judge that no content was posted by him on Facebook which could demonstrate any intention to disrespect the Indian flag or exhibit a preference towards Pakistan.

He submitted that the offences invoked against the applicant are punishable up to 7 years and therefore, he was entitled to be released on bail.

On the other hand, opposing the plea, the AGA submitted that the act of the applicant in posting the reversed Indian flag, contrasted with the flags of Pakistan and other countries, clearly amounted to showing disrespect to the nation and indirectly projected India's defeat by enemy countries, including Pakistan.

Further, the AGA sought a time of one week to file a counter-affidavit along with coloured photos of the Facebook post uploaded by the applicant.

Accordingly, the Court listed the matter in the week commencing August 11 while directing the AGA to place the relevant material on record in the meantime.