The Allahabad High Court recently granted bail to a man accused of uploading allegedly anti-India and pro-Pakistan content on Facebook.
A bench comprising Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla passed the order on May 25 while allowing the bail plea filed by one Tahir Mewati, a resident of Bulandshahr.
According to the prosecution, Mewati operated a Facebook account through which visuals and captions were posted allegedly defaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promoting pro-Pakistan sentiments.
Screenshots placed before the Court allegedly showed the Prime Minister in demeaning portrayals, including visuals depicting him being tied up and dragged by former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The posts were accompanied by captions such as “Modi Maafi Maangta Hai” and other Urdu text allegedly supportive of Pakistan.
The prosecution further claimed that digital evidence established Mewati’s connection with the Facebook account. It relied on recovery of a mobile phone allegedly used to operate the account, IP address logs traced to his residence, linked email IDs and phone numbers, as well as metadata and login timestamps.
Mewati, on the other hand, argued that the Facebook account was fake and had been created by someone else to malign his reputation.
After considering the contentions of both sides, the Court ultimately granted bail to Mewati.
Mewati was represented by advocates Adarsh Srivastava, Reena Pal, Mirza Shahwan Beg, and Mohsin Ahmad.