Pro-Pakistan Sloganeering Case | Salute National Flag 21 Times Saying 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai': MP High Court's Bail Condition For Accused

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday granted bail to a man accused of shouting 'Pakistan Zindabad Hindustan Murdabad' slogan on the condition that he shall salute the National Flag 21 times, twice a month, while raising the slogan "Bharat Mata ki Jai"

A bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Paliwal put this condition while granting bail to Faizal @ Faizan, booked under Section 153A IPC, noting that this condition may enthuse in him a sense of responsibility and pride for the country in which he is born and living.

"...he shall continuously mark his presence before Police Station Misrod, Bhopal between 10 A.M. to 12 'O'Clock of the day on every 1st and 4th Tuesday of month till final conclusion of trial and shall salute the National Flag unfurled on the building of police station 21 (twenty one) time raising slogan "Bharat Mata ki Jai". Aforesaid condition has to be necessarily incorporated in bail papers," Court's order reads which also directs him to furnish a bond of Rs. 50,000/-.

The Court also directed the Police Commissioner, Bhopal, to ensure compliance with this condition.

The Court has also clarified that this bail order shall be effective till the end of the trial, and in case of a bail jump or breach of any of the bail conditions, it shall become ineffective. 

Bhopal resident Faizan has been booked on the allegation of raising the anti-India slogan while attempting to promote enmity between different groups. It was argued that his act amounted to prejudicing national integration.

He moved the HC seeking bail, wherein his counsel argued that he had been falsely implicated. However, his counsel fairly stated that in the alleged incident video, the applicant was seen shouting the slogan in question. It was prayed that he may be released on bail by imposing some stringent conditions.

On the other hand, the counsel for the State opposed the prayer for a grant of bail by submitting that he is a habitual offender and 14 criminal cases are registered against him and in the alleged video, he could be seen openly shouting slogans against the country in which he is born and brought up.

Importantly, the counsel for the state also submitted that if the accused was not happy and satisfied in this nation, he may opt to live in the country of his choice, for which he raised the slogan "zindabad." 

Against this backdrop, the Court, at the outset, considered the fact that the accused has a criminal background of 13 criminal cases and in the alleged video, he is seen shouting the slogan in question.

The single judge, however, considering all the facts and circumstances of the case, but without expressing anything on the case's merits, opined that he could be released on bail.