Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNews ReportsSupreme Court asks UP government to display ‘magnanimity’ in releasing journalist Prashant Kanojia

Supreme Court asks UP government to display ‘magnanimity’ in releasing journalist Prashant Kanojia

Prashant Kanojia was arrested on Saturday under IPC Sections 500(defamation), 505(statements conducive to public mischief) and Section 67 of the IT act (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form).

Freelance journalist Prashant Kanojia, who was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh government for posting derogatory tweets about Gods, Goddesses and inflammatory posts on UP CM Yogi Adityanath, has been asked to be released by the apex court. The Supreme Court has asked the UP government to show ‘magnanimity’ in releasing the controversial journalist Prashant Kanojia.


Hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Kanojia’s wife, Jagisha Arora, seeking his release, the vacation bench of Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Ajay Rastogi passed the order. The bench observed that the arrest and remand were illegal, violating the principle of ‘Liberty’ enshrined in the constitution.

Representing the prosecution, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee asserted that the arrest was necessary “to send a message” that inflammatory tweets cannot be permitted. However, the bench rejected it, opting for the primacy of an individual’s personal liberty.

Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, the counsel for the defendant claimed that the alleged post uploaded by Prashant constitutes no prima facie criminal offence and that his arrest was totally unwarranted and an attack on free speech and right to life.

The Additional Solicitor General appearing for UP Government argued that the arrest was not solely for comments against the CM. The ASG cited several tweets posted by Kanojia in the past which were insulting gods, religious sentiments and people from particular castes and communities. He asserted that his arrest was made for public mischief, and Section 505 IPC was added in the FIR later.

However, the bench remained unconvinced. Justice Banerjee asked, “We do not appreciate his tweets. But can he be put behind the bars simply for that?” The Court also expressed its disbelief at 11 days remand ordered by the Magistrate. Justice Rastogi argued, “Is he accused of murder?”

The ASG responded back claiming that there were SC precedents that remand orders cannot be challenged in habeas corpus petition and that the appropriate remedy was to seek bail from lower courts. ASG mentioned that the remand orders have been passed by the Magistrate and hence Article 32 shouldn’t be entertained. But the court didn’t budge at this technical objection. It mentioned Article 142 of the Constitution that grants SC powers to do “complete justice”.


On Saturday, the UP police officials picked up Prashant Kanojia after a case was registered at Hazratganj police station, Lucknow. The arrest was made after he was accused of spreading rumours on social media. The police officials had confirmed that the accused has confessed to his crime.

A case was registered under IPC section 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and section 67 of the IT act (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form).

The accused Prashant Kanoja is notoriously known in social media circles for spreading fake news, rabid anti-Hindu hate especially against Dalits by making atrocious statements. Prashant Kanoja has a history of making vile comments against Dalits and Hindu saints. He had even referred to Dalits as ‘animals with no brains’.

The Court’s decision comes in stark contrast to the case in which a BJP youth wing leader Priyanka Sharma was arrested for sharing an innocuous meme on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and sent on remand for 14 days. The Court had then asked Sharma to tender an apology to the CM Mamata Banerjee for sharing the meme.

Justice Indira Banerjee had then contended that Freedom of Expression is non-negotiable, but it cannot encroach upon another person’s rights. Although the court later dispensed with the requirement of her apology to get bail, she was still asked to tender her apology after her release.

Ayodhra Ram Mandir special coverage by OpIndia

  Support Us  

Whether NDTV or 'The Wire', they never have to worry about funds. In name of saving democracy, they get money from various sources. We need your support to fight them. Please contribute whatever you can afford

OpIndia Staff
OpIndia Staffhttps://www.opindia.com
Staff reporter at OpIndia

Related Articles

Trending now

Recently Popular

- Advertisement -

Connect with us

255,564FansLike
665,518FollowersFollow
41,500SubscribersSubscribe