'Gautam Das' Remark Against PM Modi: Lucknow Court Grants Bail To Congress Leader Pawan Khera

Khera was directed to be released on bail by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow today after he appeared before the court and submitted a surrender application, following which, he was taken into judicial custody.

Khera’s counsels Sudhanshu Shekhar Tripathi and Praveen Kumar Yadav argued before the Court that he is completely innocent, and has been falsely implicated in this case. It was also contended that he does not have any criminal history and if he is granted bail, he will not misuse the same.

Having heard the counsels, the Court noted that all the impugned sections invoked against Khera are punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years and during the investigation, he has not been arrested.

The Court also took into account the February 2023 order of the Supreme Court granting interim bail to him. Consequently, he was directed to be released on bail on filing a personal bond of Rs. 25,000/- and two sureties of the same amount.

It may be noted that Khera was arrested by Assam police from Delhi airport over his comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23rd February 2023. He is facing charges under Sections 153-A, 153-B(1)/ 500/504/505(1)(b)/505(2) I.P.C.

On the same day, the Apex Court granted Khera an interim relief and stated that he should be released on interim bail on production before the jurisdictional Magistrate at Delhi. The interim bail was later extended from 28th February 2023 to 3rd March 2023, and then till 17th March 2023.

On March 20, the Supreme Court clubbed the FIRs registered against him at Varanasi and Assam and transferred them to the Police Station, Hazratganj, Lucknow. On the same day, he was granted liberty to Khera to apply for regular bail before the jurisdictional court in the matter.