The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to folk singer Neha Singh Rathore regarding an FIR filed in Uttar Pradesh related to her social media posts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Pahalgam terror attack. Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar allowed Rathore’s plea, directing her release on bail if arrested, as she had cooperated with the investigation. The court emphasized her need to join the investigation when required and adhere to specified conditions under the law.
The bench clarified that any breach of the imposed conditions could lead to appropriate action, with the trial court authorized to take necessary steps. This decision followed Rathore’s compliance with the court’s earlier directive to appear before the investigating authorities and provide her statement. The Allahabad High Court had previously denied her anticipatory bail, citing her social media posts’ timing after the Pahalgam terror attack and their perceived disrespectful nature towards the Prime Minister.
Rathore’s posts led to an FIR at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow under various legal provisions, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 69(a) of the Information Technology Act. The High Court stressed that while citizens have freedom of speech under Article 19 of the Constitution, it is subject to reasonable restrictions for public order, decency, or morality. The court noted that the posts had the potential to disrupt public order and targeted the Prime Minister in a disrespectful manner.
