Madhya Pradesh High Court denies bail to comedian Munawar Faruqui

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 28 rejected the bail pleas of stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui and another accused Nalin Yadav in a case of allegedly passing indecent remarks against Hindu deities.

Also read: Comedian Faruqui, in jail for two weeks, seeks bail

Justice Rohit Arya of the Indore Bench of the High Court reserved the order on their bail pleas on January 25.

In its order passed on January 28, the single judge Bench, while dismissing the bail plea, said the court refrains from commenting upon the contentions of the parties touching on merits, but based on the material seized, the statement of the witnesses and considering that the investigation is in progress, no case is made out for grant of bail.

“The observations, if any made in the order on facts are only for the purpose of deciding these bail applications and shall have no bearing on pending trial,” the order said.

Also read: Comedian among 5 held for remarks on deities

“Before parting with the case, it is considered apposite to observe that our country is a beautiful country and sets an example of coexistence amid diversities; be it religion, language, culture, geographical locations, etc. to the world at large,” it added.

Mr. Faruqui, who hails from Gujarat, and four others were arrested on January 1 following a complaint by a BJP MLA’s son that objectionable remarks were made by him and others about Hindu deities during a comedy show at a café in Indore.