Bombay High Court Quashes Case: Sensitivity Over Religion in Focus

The Bombay High Court dismissed a case against two individuals accused of posting religiously offensive messages on WhatsApp, stressing the heightened sensitivity around religion today. The court emphasized the importance of respecting all religions and avoiding impulsive reactions. The police were also criticized for inadequate investigation.

On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court dismissed a case against two men accused of hurting religious sentiments via a WhatsApp group, emphasizing heightened sensitivity around religion today.

In its ruling, the Nagpur bench highlighted the encryption of WhatsApp messages and questioned their potential impact on religious feelings under the Indian Penal Code. Emphasizing the secular and democratic ethos of India, the court urged respect for all religions and advised against knee-jerk reactions.

A division bench of Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Vrushali Joshi quashed the 2017 FIR against an army soldier and a medical practitioner. The complainant accused the duo of posting offensive messages against Muslims in a WhatsApp group, which included around 150-200 members from both Hindu and Muslim communities.

The court noted the police's failure to identify the group's administrator and criticized their selective investigation. Given the encryption of WhatsApp messages, the court found no prima facie case against the accused and deemed it unjust to subject them to trial.

(With inputs from agencies.)