NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday rejected YouTuber Ajeet Bharti’s anticipatory bail plea in a case registered against him under the SC/ST Act.During the hearing, Bharti’s advocate argued that he had not used any casteist slur and had responded to a serious provocation involving his family member, news agency PTI reported.According to a report by Bar and Bench, an FIR was registered against Bharti at Delhi’s North Avenue Police Station on August 23 under the SC/ST Act, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The complaint was filed over a video titled “SB79: Reservation Hatao Andolan Nautanki & More | Saptahik Bakaiti” published on Bharti’s social media handle.The complainant alleged that Bharti had used caste-based and abusive language and made objectionable remarks involving Azad Samaj Party leader Chandrashekhar Azad and BR Ambedkar, Bar and Benc report highlighted.Bharti, however, has defended his remarks, saying they were made in response to a degrading comment about his mother or sister.His lawyer argued that Bharti’s comments were directed at the person who allegedly made the remark about his sister and that he had not abused any caste or community.The report by Bar and Bench further noted that the defence also argued that the offence under the SC/ST Act was not made out.Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh, however, dismissed Bharti’s plea, PTI reported.A detailed order is awaited.
Bharti had addressed reservation protest in Delhi
The case comes after Bharti participated in a Reservation Hatao Andolan at Jantar Mantar, where he called for changes to the reservation system.Bharti had demanded a government white paper on reservations, quota within quota and implementation of the creamy-layer principle.He also called for minimum marks for admissions, arguing that India could not become a developed country by compromising on merit.More than 50 protesters were detained after the demonstration at Jantar Mantar escalated, with protesters remaining at the site beyond the permitted time and raising slogans.(With agency inputs)
