'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' bail clause for Bhopal man accused of saying 'Pakistan zindabad'

BHOPAL/JABALPUR: Madhya Pradesh high court has granted bail to a Bhopal man accused of shouting ‘Pakistan zindabad, Hindustan murdabad’ with the condition that he would have to go to a police station twice a month, salute the national flag 21 times, saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ each time.

The accused, Faizal alias Faizan, has to do this between 10am and 12 noon on every first and fourth Tuesday of the month till the trial concludes, the bench of Justice D KPaliwal ordered.

According to the prosecution, Faizal raised the slogan ‘Pakistan zindabad, Hindustan murdabad’ on May 17, 2024. He was arrested by Misrod police in Bhopal under IPC section 153 for 'promoting enmity'. He has been in detention since then.

Faizal’s counsel acknowledged that he shouted the slogan but prayed to the court to grant him bail with some stringent conditions.

The govt counsel opposed bail, saying Faizal has a criminal background and has committed a serious offence by raising a slogan against the country where he was born and brought up.

After hearing both sides, HC said that as per records, there are 13 cases against the accused and he is also seen shouting the slogan on video. However, the court granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and surety of the same amount in trial court. Without commenting on the merits of the case, HC said that Faizal has to appear at Misrod police station on the first and fourth Tuesday of every month, and salute the Indian flag 21 times with slogan ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.

“The aforesaid condition has to be incorporated in bail papers. This bail order shall be effective till the end of the trial. However, in case of bail jump and breach of any of the aforesaid conditions of bail, it shall become ineffective,” HC said, adding that the order’s copy be sent to Bhopal police commissioner to ensure compliance of the conditions.