The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently granted anticipatory bail to actor-comedian Khyali Saharan in connection with an FIR lodged against him for alleged derogatory remarks made about Maharishi Valmiki.
A single-judge bench of Justice Rajbir Sehrawat’s bench granted bail on the condition that Khyali Ram would cooperate with the investigation as and when required.
The accusation against Khyali Ram pertains to certain statements he made about Maharishi Valmiki during a press conference in Sri Gagananagar, Rajasthan, in September of the previous year. Subsequently, he publicly tendered an unconditional apology for his alleged remarks. On September 29, 2022, an FIR was registered against him under Sections 295 and 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Amritsar district, Punjab.
In response, Khyali Ram approached the High Court asserting that the case against him is entirely false and fabricated, and he is not implicated in the alleged offense. His submission further argued that his remarks to the media were intended to highlight Maharishi Valmiki’s personality and significance, without any intent to demean his stature.
Additionally, the defense contended that the State of Punjab lacks jurisdiction to entertain the complaint since the alleged comments were made in the state of Rajasthan. However, the counsel representing the Punjab state contended that due to the petitioner’s alleged attempt to offend the religious sentiments of a specific community, the FIR was appropriately lodged against him.
Considering the details of the case, the Court determined it appropriate to grant anticipatory bail to Khyali Ram. The Court ordered that in the event of his arrest, the petitioner would be released on bail, subject to his fulfillment of personal bonds or surety as deemed satisfactory by the Arresting or Investigating Officer.
