Bengaluru, Mar 6: All the arrested in a case of sedition filed over a school play in Karnataka's Bidar have been granted anticipatory bail by a court that said the case lacked enough basis.
The play, themed on protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), "has not caused any disharmony in the society", said the district and sessions court in Bidar.
The play, performed in January by the children of prestigious Shaheen School, landed in trouble when a sedition complaint was filed over an 11-year-old girl's lines - enacting an elderly woman, she said if anyone asked for documents she would hit them with slippers.
That led to a sedition case and the police questioning children, teachers and the school management over many rounds.
"The drama has not caused any disharmony in the society. Considering all the circumstances, I am of the opinion that the ingredients of Section 124A of IPC (Sedition) are prima facie lacking," said the court.
Five members of the school management team have been granted protection from arrest. Earlier, the head teacher and the mother of the student who spoke the dialogue were sent to custody, but on other charges including the abetment of an offence. They were not accused of sedition. They were later granted bail.
The repeated questioning of young students and the arrest of the widowed mother of a student caused a huge uproar in the town.
An order is expected soon on the bail application in another sedition case in Karnataka, against three Kashmiri students. The students, who were studying in Hubbali in north Karnataka, are facing charges for reportedly using pro-Pakistani slogans in an online post. The Hubbali Bar Association had asked its members not to represent the students. Lawyers from Bengaluru who went to Hubbali represent the students were heckled.
On Thursday, a team of lawyers from different districts again went to Hubballi and were provided police protection. BT Venkatesh, one of the lawyers, said he had a meeting with bar association members and that the matter was sorted out. The students have applied for bail and an order is expected next week.
Comments
Shining star of mangalore, sorry to hear this. i will pray to god for his soul rest in peace, really sad for his family,
ohh god, last week i saw him on tv, really a great loss, RIP
Really shocking to see this, very energetic person always, i was always watching his coastal times news channel.
RIP Sir, your work for the society s memorable.
heartfelt condolence .
RIP, God grants your family the strength and courage to bear his loss
RIP
Great personality no more. Cannot believe.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajivoon.
Great loss. May his soul rest in peace.
Sad news. my heartfelt condolence to the aggrieved family
Really difficult to believe he is no more. RIP
RIP sir. heartfelt condolence to the family.
Really Shocking, such nice personality of mangalore, huge loss for the Mangalore media.
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