Tweet Against HC Judge Hearing Hijab: Actor Chetan Granted Bail, Court Restrains Him From Posting Any Derogatory/Provocative Statements

The court granted bail on execution of a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and two solvent sureties of like amount. The court directed that the accused not make, publish, post or circulate any derogatory/provocative statements in any manner so as to disturb communal harmony and public peace.

The police had arrested the actor under section 505 (2) [statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes] and Section 504 [intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace] of the Indian Penal Code. Both non-bailable offences can lead to three years in prison, if convicted.

The actor had reposted the tweet which he had posted on June 27, 2020. That tweet was made after the High Court had in its order noting the "unbecoming" conduct of an alleged rape victim who slept after being "ravished", had granted the accused pre-arrest bail in the case.

These comments came under widespread criticism from several quarters as being misogynistic and patriarchal. Following which, the court allowed an application made by the prosecution seeking to expunge the remarks on the grounds that the observations would have an adverse impact on the pending investigation.

Expunging the remarks, Justice Dixit had observed: "Taking note of the contents of respondent-State's Application which is supported by the accompanying Affidavit and also the No Objection tendered by the petitioner-accused thereto, I deem it appropriate to expunge the last four lines occurring in para No.3(c) at Page 4 of the subject Judgement dated 22.06.2020, as sought for at para 5 of the said Application, the rest having been retained intact."