Journalist Prashant Kanojia’s bail plea: Allahabad HC seeks UP govt’s response

The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted four weeks' time to the state government to file its reply in the regular bail plea moved by freelance journalist Prashant Kanojia, in connection to a FIR lodged against him allegedly for making social media posts that have the potential to promote enmity between two or more communities/groups, legal news website LiveLaw.in has reported.

The Bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh ordered, "Notice on behalf of the state has been accepted by Mr. Balram Singh, learned A.G.A. who seeks and is granted four weeks' time to file response to the bail application filed on behalf of the accused-applicant."

Kanojia was arrested by the UP Police last month. He had moved the High Court after the Lucknow District Court denied him any relief.

As per the facts averred in the District Court's order, the FIR against him was lodged by one Shashank Shekhar Singh, under Sections 505(1)(b) (Statements conducing to public mischief with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public), 501 (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 500 (Defamation) of IPC and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.

It is alleged that Kanojia had posted pictures of the President of India, the Prime Minister and UP CM Yogi Adityanath on his Twitter account, accompanied by objectionable comments.

It was further alleged that he also made comments against the Dalit community, and his posts were intended to incite caste and religious sentiments among the citizens of the country for inciting violence.

The complainant had also pointed that Kanojia had criminal antecedents and had been arrested on previous occasions as well.