Madhu Kishwar Denied Anticipatory Bail Over Alleged Misleading Claims About PM Modi

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied anticipatory bail to commentator Madhu Kishwar, embroiled in a controversy surrounding her social media claims about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This decision was made public on Friday, adding to the legal challenges Kishwar faces following her post on social media that purportedly misrepresented the Prime Minister.

On April 18, Kishwar, known for her active presence on social media, shared a video on the platform X, suggesting it depicted Modi. However, the claims were debunked by various sources, revealing that the individual in the video was not Modi. Following the uproar, Kishwar deleted the controversial post. The Chandigarh Police responded by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against her, citing the spread of misinformation as a primary concern.

Kishwar has been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which include defamation and promoting enmity between different groups. The charges also involve acts that may disrupt public harmony, alongside allegations of cheating, forgery, and creating public mischief. Additionally, provisions from the Information Technology Act have been invoked in this case, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations against her.

In her defense, Kishwar expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling, asserting that her request for anticipatory bail was denied on what she considered to be “flimsy grounds.” She claimed that the FIR was politically motivated, suggesting that its filing in a Union Territory under the jurisdiction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah complicated her legal representation. Kishwar noted the difficulty she faced in securing a lawyer to advocate on her behalf due to the political sensitivities surrounding the case.

Justice Aman Chaudhary, who presided over the hearing, remarked on Kishwar’s lack of cooperation during the legal proceedings, which may have influenced the court’s decision. This case has sparked significant debate about the role of social media in disseminating information and the legal ramifications of spreading alleged falsehoods, particularly involving public figures. The outcome of Kishwar’s case could set a precedent regarding the accountability of individuals on social media platforms in India.

Source: scroll.in