Chandigarh, February 11:
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected the bail plea of an accused charged with writing pro-Khalistan slogans on walls and sharing inflammatory videos on social media. The court observed that any resurgence of the Khalistan movement poses a threat to the sovereignty of the nation.
The bail petition was filed by Raman, a resident of Jalandhar, who argued that he was arrested on September 7, 2022, the charge sheet was filed on May 12, 2023, and charges were framed on August 14, 2024. Despite the passage of considerable time, the trial remains incomplete, and prosecution witnesses have not been examined. The petitioner’s lawyer further contended that Raman was neither named in the FIR nor was any incriminating material recovered from his possession that could directly link him to the alleged offenses.
Opposing the plea, the government counsel stated that the accused had circulated an anti-national video containing inflammatory content, which was widely shared on social media. The video had the potential to disrupt law and order in Punjab.
The High Court emphasized that the allegations against the accused—including writing pro-Khalistan slogans and spreading provocative content—were serious in nature. If proven, such actions could incite violence, promote communal unrest, and destabilize social harmony.
The court also noted that the accused was facing multiple FIRs in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh for similar offenses. While acknowledging the delay in trial proceedings, the court ruled that it did not reduce the severity of the charges. Given the potential threat posed to national security and sovereignty, the High Court dismissed the bail petition.
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