Salute Tricolour 21 Times, Chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai': MP HC Tells Man while Granting Bail

Jabalpur: Mhya Presh High Court has granted bail to a man accused of shouting a pro- Pakistan slogan and directed him to salute national flag at a Bhopal police station 21 times and raise 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogan twice a month till end of trial. Justice DK Paliwal, in order on Tuesday, said applicant may be released on bail by imposing some conditions which may enthuse in him a sense of responsibility and pride for country in which he was born and living.

"He is openly shouting slogans against country in which he was born and brought up," HC stated.

court directed accused to salute national flag and chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogan on every first and fourth Tuesday of month.

accused, Faizal alias Faizan, was arrested after an FIR was registered against him at Bhopal's Misrod police station in May under section 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of lapsed Indian Penal Code (IPC).

"It is directed that applicant - Faizal alias Faizan be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one solvent surety in like amount to satisfaction of trial court, for his regular appearance before trial court during trial," HC order said.

"It is furr directed that he shall continuously mark his presence before police station Misrod, Bhopal every 1st and 4th Tuesday of month till conclusion of trial and shall salute National Flag unfurled on building of police station 21 times by raising 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'," high court stated.

As per prosecution, accused h shouted a pro- Pakistan slogan which amounted to promoting enmity between different groups and his act was prejudicial to maintenance of harmony and national integration.

"After investigation, a charge sheet has been filed," court order noted.

defence counsel submitted that applicant h been falsely implicated.

However, learned counsel (for applicant) has fairly stated that in a video, applicant is seen shouting slogan hailing Pakistan and denouncing India, order stated.

state government's counsel opposed bail, saying applicant was a habitual offender and 14 criminal cases were registered against him.