Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, who was arrested by Madhya Pradesh police on charges of hurting religious sentiments, walked out of Indore central jail late on Saturday night, a day after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a case for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Faruqui was released from the jail after the prison authorities received the order of the Supreme Court.
On Friday, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail after the Madhya Pradesh High Court had rejected his bail plea on January 28. But, he was not released. Asked for the reason, news agency PTI quoted an Indore Central Jail officer as saying that a court in Prayagraj had ordered Faruqui's production in a similar case on February 18. Citing the jail manual, he said an order from the Prayagraj court or a competent government officer was needed to release him.
Arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, Faruqui was in Indore jail since January 1.
Police had arrested Faruqui and four others on January 1 following a complaint by a BJP MLA's son that objectionable remarks were made by him and others about Hindu deities during a comedy show at a cafe in Indore. One more person was arrested later.
According to the police, the comedy show was held at a cafe in 56 Dukan area of Indore on January 1. Eklavya Singh Gaud (36), son of local BJP MLA Malini Laxman Singh Gaud, had filed a complaint against Faruqui and others. Gaud said that he and his associates had gone to watch the show and when they heard the "indecent" comments, they forced the organisers to stop the programme.
The complaint said that indecent remarks were passed against Hindu gods and goddesses and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the show.
Faruqui and four others were later arrested by the police. All of them were booked under IPC sections 295-A (outraging religious feelings), 269 (unlawful or negligent act likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life) and other relevant provisions. One more person was arrested in this connection later.