The Bombay High Court has dismissed the FIR filed against actors Shekhar Suman and Bharati Singh related to a 2010 incident on a comedy show. The court ruled that using food items in a comedic act does not constitute religious insult. Justice Amit Borkar granted the plea to annul the FIRs, emphasizing that the show was meant for light entertainment and should be understood in its intended context.
The complaint stemmed from an episode of ‘Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo’ that aired in November 2010. The court highlighted that Section 295-A necessitates a deliberate and malicious intent to offend religious sentiments. It stated that a comedy performance should be evaluated as a whole, not by isolated expressions, and must contain both elements to constitute an offense.
The court criticized the complaint, noting that it was based on hearsay and lacked personal viewing of the program. The FIR was filed without verifying the allegations, raising concerns about its validity. The court emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment of such performances before initiating legal action.
