Allahabad HC Denies Bail to Man Accused of Sharing Objectionable Posts Targeting PM Modi, Glorifying Pakistan
Court held that Tahir Mewati’s social media posts were provocative, glorified anti-national ideology, and had the potential to incite communal disharmony and disturb public order;
The Allahabad High Court recently denied bail to Tahir Mewati, a Bulandshahr resident accused of sharing provocative content on Facebook that allegedly mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and glorified Pakistan. Court observed that the social media posts attributed to Mewati posed a serious threat to communal harmony and national integrity.
The bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh passed the order on July 28, dismissing the bail plea filed by Mewati, who has been booked under Sections 152, 352, 197(1)(c), and 353(1)(C) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The FIR against him was lodged by Sub-Inspector Vishal Chaudhary of Salempur police station in Bulandshahr district on May 14, 2025.
According to the prosecution, Mewati operated a Facebook account through which he posted visuals and captions allegedly aimed at defaming the Prime Minister and promoting pro-Pakistan sentiments. Screenshots submitted in court showed images of the Prime Minister in demeaning portrayals, including visuals of him being tied up and dragged by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, accompanied by captions such as “Modi Maafi Maangta Hai,” along with other Urdu texts deemed to be supportive of Pakistan.
The prosecution also submitted that digital evidence established Mewati's connection to the Facebook account in question. These included the recovery of a mobile phone allegedly used to operate the account, IP address logs traced to his residence, and recovery credentials (email and phone number) linked to him. Metadata and timestamps of login activities were also cited as corroborative evidence.
In response, Mewati claimed that the Facebook account was fake and had been created by someone else with the intention of damaging his reputation. He denied having posted or circulated any such content. However, court noted inconsistencies in his defence.
While before the Sessions Court, Mewati admitted to sharing memes but denied any malicious intent, before the High Court, he took an entirely different stand by denying all involvement in the alleged social media activity.
The high court found that the material presented prima facie indicated an attempt to incite disharmony and ridicule national leadership.
"The said contents appears to be aimed at ridiculing the Indian leadership and promoting a narrative contrary to the interest of national sovereignty, unity and integrity...The themes and language used in the post indicate inclination towards glorification of anti-national ideology, which cannot be ignored," the order noted.
Court cited its earlier decision in Niyaz Ahmad Khan v. State of U.P. (2022), emphasizing the need for responsible use of social media and cautioning against the misuse of digital platforms to target public figures and spread divisive content. “The right to freedom of expression does not grant unfettered license to defame others or promote content that can destabilize public order,” the court had held in that case.
Rejecting the bail application, the high stated that releasing Mewati at this stage could send an inappropriate message to society and potentially encourage others to engage in similar conduct. It added that given the nature and seriousness of the allegations, no grounds for bail were made out.
However, court clarified that its observations were limited to the context of the bail application and would not affect the merits of the ongoing trial.
Case Title: Tahir Mewati vs. State of UP
Order Date: July 28, 2025
Bench: Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh