Karnataka High Court quashes criminal case for raising 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans

PTC News Desk: The Karnataka High Court on quashed a criminal case against two individuals for allegedly raising "Jai Shri Ram" slogans inside a mosque. The case against the individuals was lodged by the state police. 

While looking into the plea submitted by the accused, Justice M Nagaprasanna, leading the single-judge bench stated that it was obscure and not understandable how the raising of "Jai Shri Ram" slogans would offend the religious sentiments of any community. The accused faced charges under following IPC Sections:

Section 295A for allegedly outraging religious feelings  

Sections 447 for criminal trespass

Section 505 for public mischief

Section 506 for criminal intimidation

Section 34 for common intention

The case dates back to September 24, 2023, when according to the police, both the accused entered the mosque and started raising "Jai Shri Ram" in the mosque, while also alleging threats following which the police took them in custody.

The bench also emphasized that the complainant in the case had himself said that Hindus and Muslims were living in harmony in the concerned area. Not to mention, the court also stated that any kind of further proceedings would amount to abuse of the legal proceedings and not every act falls under the purview of Section 295A of the IPC.