SC Transfers All Cases Against Comedian Munawar Faruqui To Indore, Grants Him Bail

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday transferred to Indore all cases registered against stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui for allegedly insulting religious sentiments during a show.

Faruqui was also granted bail.

The top court had earlier granted him interim bail after he was arrested in January 2021.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol clubbed all complaints against Faruqui and transferred them to Indore, India Today reported.

“Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances, and the previous order of this court, we are inclined to transfer all the complaints to Indore. We have already granted ad interim protection and the same is made absolute,” the bench ordered.

“If any plea for the same is filed before an appropriate court, it shall be considered as per law on its merits. Petitioner is granted interim protection against production of warrants by Delhi Police for three weeks,” the order stated.

Faruqui had filed a plea challenging and seeking the quashing of criminal proceedings against him.

Faruqui and others were arrested for the alleged offences punishable under various sections of IPC, including Section 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).