Madhya Pradesh High Court grants bail to Raja Pateria in case for alleged 'filthy' remarks against PM Narendra Modi

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday granted bail to Congress leader and former State Minister Raja Pateria, who had been arrested for making controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. [Raja Pateria v. The State of Madhya Pradesh].Justice Sanjay Dwivedi ordered the release of Pateria on his furnishing a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with one solvent surety of the like amount..Pateria was arrested in December for allegedly making a speech during a Congress meeting using "filthy and intimidating language" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.His first bail plea was rejected by the High Court on January 10, with the Court noting that his release on bail may give a wrong message to society. At the time, the Court had also observed that public leaders are not expected to use foul language disparaging the image of leaders in high places like the President or the Prime Minister. However, the Court had added that Pateria was at liberty to resuscitate the prayer of bail by filing a fresh application after thirty days.Accordingly, Pateria moved a fresh plea for bail, which has now been allowed by the High Court..During the hearing, counsel for Pateria informed the Court that the chargesheet was already filed and that his bail application should be considered since he had been in jail since December last year..On the other hand, the State opposed the application by contending that the earlier bail application of the applicant was rejected on merits. Therefore, a second bail application, without any change in circumstance, cannot be considered, the State argued..The Court, however, proceeded to grant bail in view of the earlier liberty granted to Pateria to revive the application after thirty days.It clarified that it was not commenting on the merits of the case against Pateria while granting bail. .Senior Advocate Shashank Shekhar and Advocate Samresh Katare appeared for Pateria.The State was represented by Deputy Government Advocate LAS Baghel..[Read Order]