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Stand-up comic Munawar Faruqui, in jail for over a month over allegations of “insulting Hindu Gods and Goddesses” during a show, was granted interim bail today by the Supreme Court, which also issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh government and put on hold a warrant against him in Uttar Pradesh.
The comedian was arrested for making alleged comments that hurt religious sentiments, police later admitted that Faruqui had not made any statements. His arrest, police say, was based on “oral evidence” given by the son of a BJP MLA, who claimed to have “overheard” Faruqui rehearsing jokes that he was “going to” say in his act, reports The Wire.
The Supreme Court issued a notice to Madhya Pradesh on the comedian’s request that the FIR (First Information Report) against him be cancelled, agreeing with his lawyer that procedure was not followed and that the allegations in the FIR were vague.
“The learned counsel has pointed out to us that quite apart from the fact that the allegations made in the FIR are vague that the procedure… has not been followed before arresting the petitioner. This being the case, we issue notice in both the petitions and stay the Judgment of the High Court,” said the court.
This comes after Faruqui was denied bail thrice before by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
