Allahabad High Court has granted bail to a Muzaffarnagar resident accused of posting allegedly objectionable comments on Instagram, observing that the social media post did not target any particular caste or community.
Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla passed the order while hearing a criminal miscellaneous bail application filed by Nadeem in connection with a 2025 case registered at Budhana Police Station in Muzaffarnagar district.
Background of the Case
According to the case record, the FIR was lodged under Sections 353(2), 192 and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The prosecution alleged that the accused had uploaded objectionable remarks on his Instagram account, leading to registration of the criminal case.
During the hearing, counsel for the applicant argued that Nadeem had been falsely implicated and had remained in jail since October 7, 2025. The defence also pointed out that the charge sheet had already been filed and there was little possibility of the trial concluding soon. It was further submitted that the applicant had no previous criminal history.
The State opposed the bail plea, claiming that the Instagram post contained inflammatory language. The prosecution also referred to another bail matter linked to communal disturbances in Bareilly, arguing that such slogans could disturb public order and incite anti-social elements.
However, the court noted that the Bareilly case involved a different accused person and was unrelated to the present applicant.
After considering the submissions from both sides, the High Court took note of the fact that the applicant had no criminal antecedents and had already spent several months in custody.
The bench observed that,
“The supposed objectionable post made on the Instagram handle by the applicant does not name any particular caste or community.”
The court also considered the stage of investigation and the filing of the charge sheet while deciding the bail plea.
Allowing the application, the High Court directed that Nadeem be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond and two reliable sureties to the satisfaction of the trial court.
The court imposed several conditions, including that the applicant would not tamper with evidence, intimidate witnesses, or engage in criminal activity during the pendency of the trial. He was also directed to appear regularly before the trial court unless exempted.
Case Details
Case Title: Nadeem vs State of U.P. Through Principal Secretary (Home), Lucknow
Case Number: Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 40267 of 2025
Judge: Justice Rajiv Lochan Shukla
Decision Date: May 4, 2026
