Munawar Faruqu was released on bail by the Supreme Court
New Delhi:
Comedian Munawar Faruqui was not released today from a jail in Madhya Pradesh, where he is being held for more than a month after his alleged “obscene and indecent jokes” about Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as the Minister of the Interior, Amit Shah. Authorities at Indore jail, where he is being held, said they have not yet received an order from the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court granted Faruqui bail on Friday. The court had sent a notification to the Madhya Pradesh government and had suspended an injunction against the comedian in Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Faruqui has argued that he was invited by the organizers of the show and was present, but had not made such jokes that day.
The high court agreed that procedure was not followed during his arrest and the allegations in the FIR, made in a complaint by Eklvaya Singh Gaur, the son of an MLA BJP, were vague.
In a series of tweets, P Chidambaram from Congress questioned why the comedian has not yet been released. “Why has Munawar Faruqui not been released from jail despite a bail order issued by the Supreme Court yesterday morning?” your tweet read.
Why has Munawar Faruqui not been released from jail despite a bail order issued yesterday morning by the Supreme Court?
– P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 6, 2021
Referring to the Supreme Court order in a second tweet, Mr. Chidambaram posted: “Almost 30 hours have passed since the order was approved. However, the order is being undermined by UP police and prison authorities. Is all this happening with or without the knowledge of the UP Prime Minister? “
It has been almost 30 hours since the order was approved. However, the order is being undermined by the MP police and the prison authorities.
Is all this happening with or without the knowledge of the Chief Minister of the MP?
– P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 6, 2021
In response to the Supreme Court order yesterday, Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishwas Sarang said: “Bail is a routine process, that does not mean that I am innocent. Our police have done nothing wrong. Why should anyone be allowed to mock Hindus? Gods and goddesses? “
Munawar Faruqui had been denied bail three times earlier. By denying him bail on January 28, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had said that the possibility of further “incriminating material” could not be ruled out as investigations were still ongoing.
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