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Can’t jail a person indefinitely for forwarding video that may hurt religious sentiments: Madhya Pradesh HC

Grants bail to Dr Nasheem Bano, guest faculty at college in Dindori, who was arrested for allegedly circulating WhatsApp messages and a video on Pahalgam terror attack

jail An FIR alleged that the professor had circulated certain posts in a WhatsApp group that were intended to outrage the religious feelings of a community, along with a video titled ‘Naya Ravan’. (Credit: Pexels)An FIR alleged that the professor had circulated certain posts in a WhatsApp group that were intended to outrage the religious feelings of a community, along with a video titled ‘Naya Ravan’. (Credit: Pexels)

Observing that forwarding a video “which may hurt religious sentiments” doesn’t mean a person can indefinitely be kept in jail, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to Dr Nasheem Bano, a guest faculty at the Government Model College in Dindori, who was arrested for allegedly circulating WhatsApp messages and a video on the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Prima facie, at the outset, it can very safely be said that an educated person, holding the post of Guest Faculty in the College, had a greater responsibility to forward WhatsApp messages. But simply on the ground of forwarding messages (and) video which may hurt the religious sentiment of a community, a person cannot be indefinitely kept in jail,” Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh noted in the June 13 order.

Dr Bano was arrested on April 28, following a complaint filed by one Deependra Jogi at Dindori police station. The FIR was filed under Sections 196, 299, and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

It alleged that the professor had circulated certain posts in a WhatsApp group that were intended to outrage the religious feelings of a community, along with a video titled ‘Naya Ravan’.

Senior advocate Manish Datt, appearing with advocate Eshaan Datt for Dr Bano, argued that she is an educated woman with no intention to hurt the religious sentiments of any community.

Government advocate Ravindra Shukla opposed the bail, claiming that the applicant had deliberately forwarded WhatsApp messages and the video to hurt religious sentiments. However, he submitted that no other crimes were recorded against the professor.

Justice Singh, after hearing both sides and reviewing the case diary, deemed it appropriate to grant bail considering the facts and circumstances.

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The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam had claimed the lives of 26 civilians and led to an escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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