Allahabad High Court Grants Interim Relief to Lawyer Accused of Posting Derogatory Content
The Allahabad High Court has granted temporary protection to Barsatu Ram Saroj, a lawyer from Jaunpur, facing charges for allegedly posting indecent remarks about the Brahmin community on social media. The court, emphasizing the need for careful examination, has put a hold on any coercive actions against Saroj and scheduled the next hearing for February 7, 2025.
The two-judge bench, comprising Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan and Justice Mohd. Azhar Husain Idrisi, granted interim relief, pausing immediate legal proceedings stemming from the FIR lodged against Saroj on September 25, 2024. Saroj’s case will receive further consideration, with the court allowing him protection until a thorough review is conducted.
Case Background
Saroj faces charges under Section 353(2) of the BNS Act and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000—laws that address spreading false or inflammatory content that can incite enmity among communities. The complaint was initiated by Praveen Tiwari, the District President of the Savarna Army, who claimed that Saroj’s social media posts were not only offensive but also involved repeated abusive language against the Brahmin community, warranting strict action to prevent further damage.
Defense Arguments
Saroj’s counsel has filed a writ petition to quash the FIR, arguing that the case lacks clarity on what specific content Saroj posted. His defense team has also highlighted his recent expulsion from the local Bar Association, suggesting it as a sign of potential malicious intent behind the FIR. They claim the charges are an attempt to malign Saroj and have been filed in bad faith.
The court’s decision to grant interim relief highlights the importance of balancing free expression with social harmony and underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring that such allegations are closely scrutinized before coercive actions are taken. The legal proceedings are expected to delve deeper into these complex issues in the upcoming hearing.
