A sessions court in Ernakulam has granted anticipatory bail to Hindu vlogger Amrit Singh Darren, who was booked by the Kerala Police over a video exposing a café named after a Hindu religious site in Fort Kochi. The Kashi Art Cafe had displayed portraits of Pakistan’s founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah and offered beef dishes on its menu. Sessions Judge KK Balakrishnan passed the order on 6th November, observing that Singh had no reported criminal record and that appropriate bail conditions would be sufficient to address the concerns raised by the prosecution.
“He has no reported criminal antecedents. Sufficient conditions for bail are needed only to address the objection raised by the prosecution against the petition. Therefore, pre-arrest bail is granted to the petitioner with following conditions,” the court observed.
The Fort Kochi Police had registered a case against Singh on 24th October under Sections 353(2) and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions deal with statements spreading false information that promote enmity between religious communities and provocation intended to cause riots.
Why was Amrit Singh booked by Kerala Police
According to the prosecution, Singh uploaded a video on 22nd October through his Instagram account, littichokha_up, showing the Kashi Art Cafe in Fort Kochi. In the video, he questioned why a café was named after Kashi, a place considered sacred by Hindus, while displaying portraits of Mohammad Ali Jinnah alongside Mahatma Gandhi. He also highlighted the beef dishes available on its menu.
Singh further pointed out that the café was located in an area predominantly occupied by the Muslim community. The prosecution alleged that his remarks could promote hatred between religious communities, disturb communal harmony and trigger public unrest. The case was registered following a complaint by the café’s manager.
Seeking anticipatory bail, Singh told the court that he had visited Kerala as a tourist and that the video was simply an account of his personal experiences. He argued that he had only shared his observations about the places he visited and the interactions he had during his trip.
He also maintained that the video did not target any religious community and that there had been no violence or communal tension as a result of his post.
The prosecution opposed his bail application, arguing that his custodial interrogation was necessary to investigate the purpose of his visit and determine whether he had recorded or stored similar videos elsewhere. It also claimed that the video’s circulation had triggered protests and activities by different organisations, creating communal disharmony. The prosecution further raised concerns that Singh could influence witnesses, tamper with evidence or avoid investigation.
Court imposes conditions while granting bail
After hearing both sides and examining the available records, the court concluded that the prosecution’s concerns could be addressed through appropriate bail conditions.
The court directed Singh to appear before the investigating officer on 17th November. It further ordered that if he was arrested following interrogation, he should be released on a bail bond of ₹ 50,000 with two sureties.
He has also been directed to cooperate with the investigation, appear before the investigating officer whenever required, refrain from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses, and not commit any other offence.
Kerala CM VD Satheesan hounded the vlogger
The case against Singh came after Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan publicly criticised him over the video and accused him of attempting to spread communal hatred. On 25th October, the Chief Minister took to X and described the video as an attempt by an influencer from outside the state to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi and portray Kerala negatively. “Kerala stands united. Communal hatred has no place here. The recent Instagram video by a vlogger from outside the state, attempting to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi, portray our state in a negative light, and divide communities, is unacceptable,” Satheesan wrote.
Keralam stands united. Communal hatred has no place here. The recent Instagram video by a vlogger from outside the state, attempting to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi, portray our state in a negative light, and divide communities, is unacceptable. A case has been registered, and the law will take its course. The UDF government remains committed to communal harmony and justice without fear or favour. A New Era for God’s Own Country. No room for hate. We will not allow anyone to even lay a finger on our communal harmony.
— V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) October 24, 2026
He also announced that legal action had been initiated against the influencer and said that his government would not allow anyone to disturb communal harmony. “A case has been registered, and the law will take its course. The UDF government remains committed to communal harmony and justice without fear or favour,” the Chief Minister added.
Notably, before sharing the video, Singh had expressed apprehension about possible action against him. He began his video by saying that if anything untoward happened to him after its publication, the Kerala government would be responsible.
Satheesan’s stand on the issue is not at all surprising, as his party is receiving the support of the Indian Union Muslim League in the state. His government is often accused of indulging in Muslim appeasement under the pressure of its political ally, the IUML.
The controversy subsequently led to a police case against him, with the prosecution seeking his custodial interrogation. However, the sessions court has now granted him anticipatory bail, allowing him protection from arrest subject to the conditions imposed by the court.
