A Chandigarh court has dismissed the second regular bail application filed by Hassan Mohiduddin Siddiqui, holding that no fresh circumstances had emerged since the rejection of his earlier plea. The court observed that the filing of the chargesheet alone could not justify granting bail in a case involving serious allegations relating to the circulation of allegedly misleading content on social media.
Background of the Case
The bail application arose from FIR No. 44 dated April 19, 2026, registered at Police Station-26, Chandigarh, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. According to the prosecution, the case was initiated following a complaint alleging that a misleading video was circulated on social media with captions that were allegedly capable of harming the reputation of a constitutional authority and disturbing public order.
The defence argued that Siddiqui had been falsely implicated, had remained in custody for around two and a half months, and that the investigation had been completed with only the forensic report awaited. It also contended that the prosecution's case rested mainly on documentary and digital evidence, reducing any possibility of interference with the investigation. The defence further referred to the applicant's health condition and family responsibilities while seeking bail.
Court's Observation
The prosecution opposed the plea, submitting that technical investigation linked the social media account from which the disputed content was allegedly posted to the applicant. It argued that the material shared was provocative and that further aspects of the investigation, including the role of other persons, were yet to be uncovered.
After hearing both sides, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sonali Singh observed that the allegations were serious and that a prima facie case under the invoked provisions of the BNS and the Information Technology Act was made out.
The court noted,
"Presentation of challan in the court is not a ground to grant bail to the accused/applicant, especially when there are serious allegations against the accused/applicant."
The court further observed that the applicant had already been denied bail earlier and that the present application did not disclose any new ground apart from the filing of the chargesheet.
Decision
Considering the gravity of the allegations and the absence of any fresh circumstance warranting a different view, the court held that no case for grant of bail was made out.
Accordingly, the second bail application filed by Hassan Mohiduddin Siddiqui was dismissed.
