Man released on bail in FB post case

A 28-year-old man has been released on bail by a court here after he spent nearly three months in jail in connection with a Facebook post case where he allegedly defamed a former DGP of Bihar, his lawyer said on Sunday.

A 28-year-old man has been released on bail by a court here after he spent nearly three months in jail in connection with a Facebook post case where he allegedly defamed a former DGP of Bihar, his lawyer said on Sunday.

Jitendra Kumar, who was arrested on July 11, was granted bail by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Kumari Vijaya on Friday, his counsel Manish Shankar said.

"My client was named by Aditya Kumar, the main accused in the case, against whom an FIR had been lodged at Kotwali police station in the city. Aditya had been accused of putting up an objectionable post on the Facebook page of retired IPS officer Abhayanand," Shankar said.

"Unfortunately, Jitendra was picked up by the police and put behind the bars merely on the basis of a statement given by Aditya. Till date, the police has not been able to show any incriminating object in Jitendra's possession nor did it bother to record his statement wherein my client would have got an opportunity to prove his innocence," Shankar said.

The court order follows a submission by the Kotwali police stating it wants to close the investigation as the FIR itself appears to have been lodged on the error of facts, Shankar said, adding that this proves Jitendra's innocence and he may be acquitted in due course.

"However, Jitendra has spent 86 days in jail and his career as a private bank employee is in dire straits. We hope the court takes note of the manner in which the police have proceeded in the matter. They lodged an FIR in a jiffy, based on a complaint received on e-mail by a third party, not the aggrieved IPS officer," Shankar said.

On the basis of the statement of the named accused, the police picked up my client and made him languish in jail for three months without him committing any crime, the council said.

On condition of anonymity, police sources said the "error of facts" in the FIR was established during a high-level inquiry that was ordered by top officials who took note of the complaint that Jitendra Kumar was falsely implicated.

Incidentally, Jitendra Kumar is the next-door neighbour and reported a friend of Super 30 founder Anand Kumar.

Super 30 has on several occasions claimed that since it's inception in 2002 nearly 500 students hailing from economically poor sections have cracked JEE and made it to different IITs.

Incidentally, Anand Kumar and Abhayanand had worked together in the initial years of Super 30, only to go separate ways in the later stages and engage in a bitter feud.

The retired DGP has since then launched his own Super 30 classes in districts like Patna and Gaya, besides another coaching venture for engineering aspirants from the minority sections.

A biopic based on Kumar's life, with Hrithik Roshan playing the protagonist, is scheduled for release early next year.

(With inputs from agencies.)