The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a writ petition seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) filed against a man for allegedly posting derogatory content on Facebook targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The case stems from the petitioner’s online remarks following India’s decision to halt military operations against Pakistan on May 10, after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
The Division Bench of Justice J J Munir and Justice Anil Kumar declined to interfere with the ongoing criminal proceedings, observing that the petitioner’s post contained offensive and disrespectful language directed at the head of the government.
“Scurrilous Language Against Head of Government Cannot Be Justified”
Rejecting the petitioner’s contention that he was carried away by emotions while making the post, the Bench remarked:
“The post written by the petitioner against the prime minister carried scurrilous language against the head of the government. Emotions cannot be permitted to overflow to an extent that constitutional authorities of the country are dragged into disrepute by the use of disrespectful words.”
The court held that the case did not merit interference under its writ jurisdiction conferred by Article 226 of the Constitution, and accordingly dismissed the petition.
FIR Filed Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Provisions
The petitioner, Ajeet Yadav (24), has been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly making objectionable remarks against the Prime Minister. The Facebook post reportedly targeted the government’s decision to suspend retaliatory military action against Pakistan in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Yadav’s counsel submitted that his client had no criminal intent and was merely acting under emotional distress. However, the High Court found no justification in this argument to quash the FIR at the preliminary stage.
