P&H High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Actor-Comedian Khyali In FIR Over His Alleged Remarks Against Maharishi Valmiki

On Wednesday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted anticipatory bail to actor-comedian Khyali Ram in an FIR lodged against him for his alleged derogatory words against Maharishi Valmiki.

The bench of Justice Rajbir Sehrawat granted him bail on the condition that he shall join the investigation as and when called upon to do so and shall abide by the conditions as provided under Section 438 (2) Cr.P.C.

Essentially, Khyali Ram has been accused of using certain words against Maharishi Valmiki during a press conference he held in Rajasthan's Sri Gagananagar in September last year. Later on, he tendered an unconditional apology in public for his alleged words. On September 29, 2022, an FIR was lodged against him under Sections 295, 295-A IPC in Punjab's Amritsar district. 

Pursuant to this, he moved the High Court submitting that the case against him is totally false and concocted and he is not involved in the crime as alleged against him.

It was further contended that even as per the allegations of the prosecution, although the petitioner addressed some media persons, the utterances were only to highlight the personality and aura of Maharishi Valmiki and not with any intention to downgrade his entity.

It was also argued that the State of Punjab does not have even the jurisdiction to entertain the complaint as the alleged words were spoken in the state of Rajasthan. However, the counsel for the Punjab state submitted that since the petitioner had attempted to hurt the religious feelings of a particular community, therefore, the FIR in question had rightly been registered against the petitioner.

Taking into account the facts of the case, the Court deemed it fit to grant him anticipatory bail by directing that in the event of arrest, the petitioner be released on bail, subject to his furnishing personal bonds/surety to the satisfaction of the Arresting/Investigating Officer.

Case title - Khyali Ram vs. State of Punjab [CRM M - 39814-2023]

Case Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (PH) 143

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