The Karnataka High Court dismissed a criminal case filed by the police against two individuals accused of chanting Jai Shri Ram inside a mosque. The court stated that it couldn’t see how chanting Jai Shri Ram could offend the religious feelings of any group. A panel led by Justice M Nagaprasanna examined the defendant’s appeal and stated in its ruling that it was not evident how reciting Jai Shri Ram could offend the religious feelings of any group.
The defendants faced charges for allegedly uttering Jai Shri Ram at the mosque, in accordance with Section 295A of the IPC. They were charged with offenses detailed in Sections 447, 505, 506, and 34 of the IPC. The defendant filed a petition in the High Court to request the dismissal of the charges filed against them.
The attorney representing the defendant claimed that the mosque is considered a public area. That is the reason why there is no such case presented there. The Karnataka government rejected the petitioners’ request and requested their custody, stating that additional investigation is necessary in the matter.
Bar and Bench reported that the court stated the complainant had claimed that Hindus and Muslims coexisted peacefully in the locality. The court additionally stated that allowing the case against the accused to continue would constitute a misuse of legal procedures. The bench chaired by M Nagaprasanna referenced the Supreme Court order and declared that no action will be considered a crime under Section 295A of the IPC.The police claimed that the suspect had entered the mosque on the 24th.
In September 2023, at approximately 10:50 pm, they shouted Jai Shri Ram slogans. They are additionally charged with making threats. After a complaint was filed, the individuals accused were initially unnamed, but were eventually apprehended. The accused responded to the allegations by approaching the Karnataka High Court and submitting a petition. Subsequently, the court dropped the charges filed against them.