The Patiala House Court in Delhi on September 7, rejected YouTuber and commentator Ajeet Bharti’s anticipatory bail application in a case registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler.
Background of the Case
The FIR was registered at North Avenue Police Station on August 23 following a complaint concerning Bharti’s YouTube programme “SB79: Reservation Hatao Andolan Nautanki & More | Saptahik Bakaiti.”
The complaint alleges that the programme contained caste-related and abusive remarks, besides objectionable references to Chandrashekhar Azad and Dr BR Ambedkar. The FIR also invokes Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and Sections 196(1)(c) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Bharti’s counsel, Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, argued that the remarks were made in response to what he described as a “grave provocation” involving a comment about Bharti’s sister. He maintained that Bharti had no intention to discriminate against any caste or community.
“My remarks were made as a reaction because somebody said my married sister should marry someone. This was a grave provocation.”
The prosecution opposed the plea, submitting that a prima facie case was disclosed. Counsel for the complainant also argued that the commentary was not confined to an individual but allegedly extended to the wider community.
The Court ultimately dismissed Bharti’s anticipatory bail plea. The detailed order was awaited at the time of reporting.
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