Allahabad High Court grants interim anticipatory bail to Dr Medusa over controversial social media posts.
Case in NewsAllahabad High Court grants interim bail to Dr Medusa over post on Pahalgam Terror Attack. |
Case Overview
Case Name: Dr. Madri Kakoti vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr .
The Allahabad High Court on June 3, 2025 granted interim anticipatory bail to Dr. Madri Kakoti, an assistant professor in the Linguistics Department at the University of Lucknow popularly known on social media as Dr Medusa . The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by ABVP member Jatin Shukla accusing her of making provocative posts on the Pahalgam Terror Attack . Justice Rajeev Singh presided over the matter and granted her protection from arrest .
Key Aspects
Before the Court the main contention was whether Kakoti’s social media posts crossed the line of free speech and amounted to criminal offences under national security laws . The FIR alleged incitement and threats to public order.
- FIR filed following Kakoti’s posts after Pahalgam Terror Attack .
- Tweets allegedly used terms like “saffron-terrorist” and were circulated by Pakistani media .
- Complaint alleged posts endangered sovereignty and incited hatred or riots .
- Allegations include threats to law and order and communal harmony .
Legal Insights
The FIR invoked several provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including the provisions of old IPC:
- Section 195 BNS (Section 153 IPC) : Promoting enmity between different groups .
- Section 197 BNS (Section 153B IPC) : Imputations prejudicial to national integration .
- Section 147 BNS (Section 124 IPC) : Acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India .
- Section 198 and 199 BNS (Section 505 IPC) : Statements conducing to public mischief .
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These provisions correspond to the repealed Indian Penal Code’s sections on sedition and communal hatred and aim to prevent unrest while balancing free expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Court’s Verdict
The Allahabad High Court considering the nature of the posts and the ongoing investigation, granted interim anticipatory bail to Kakoti. Justice Rajeev Singh held that custodial interrogation was not immediately necessary and protection from arrest was justified .
Source – High Court of Allahabad
Read also – Article 19 of Indian Constitution
