Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court on Thursday granted bail to a man arrested in May last year for allegedly posting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ on his Instagram account after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people. The court, however, restrained the petitioner, Faizan, from uploading any post on social media that was against the reputation of the country. While granting relief, Justice Arun Singh Deshwal warned that breach of any of the conditions shall be a ground for cancellation of the bail. The accused was booked by Etah police last year under various BNS sections at Jalesar police station in Etah district. During the court proceedings, the accused’s counsel argued that though his post may have been objectionable, it would not attract the ingredients of section 152 BNS (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), as he had not posted anything derogatory and disrespectful to India. “Merely supporting an enemy country will not itself come under the purview of section 152 BNS,” the counsel said. It was further submitted that the accused had been in jail since May 3, 2025, and if granted bail, he will not misuse the liberty. The state counsel opposed the bail, saying that the offence was of serious nature. Considering the nature of offence, evidence, complicity of the accused and taking into account overcrowded jails and heavy pendency of criminal cases before the trial courts, the HC granted bail to the accused.
