Objectionable Song Against Goddess Durga: Allahabad High Court Grants Bail to Alleged Supplier of Song Material

The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Rajveer Singh Yadav, who was arrested in connection with a controversial song allegedly containing objectionable remarks against Goddess Durga that triggered outrage in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district.

The case originally stemmed from an FIR lodged against folk singer Saroj Sargam over allegations that her song hurt Hindu religious sentiments during the Durga Puja period.

According to the prosecution case, Yadav was not named in the FIR initially and was later implicated during investigation after co-accused Saroj Sargam allegedly told police that he had supplied material used in her songs. Police also claimed that a controversial book recovered from him hurt religious sentiments, though the court noted that Yadav was only the editor of the publication and not its author.

The high court observed that except for the co-accused’s statement and Yadav’s association with the book as editor, there was no other material against him. Court further noted that there was no evidence to show that public order had been disturbed because of the alleged acts.

Before the court, Yadav’s counsel argued that his arrest violated the Supreme Court’s ruling in Vihaan Kumar Vs. State of Haryana and another (2025), because the grounds of arrest were not communicated to him at the time of detention, a fact the State did not dispute.

Court additionally took note of the argument that despite Yadav being arrested within two days of the FIR, an award of Rs 25,000 had been declared against him, indicating “high handedness” by the administration.

Court also took into account that the offences were triable by a magistrate, that most charges carried a maximum sentence of seven years, and that Yadav had already spent more than six months in jail. Referring to the settled principle that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the court held that bail should not be denied for punitive or preventive purposes.

Court directed that Yadav be released on bail subject to conditions, including cooperation during trial, non-interference with evidence, and refraining from criminal activity.

The controversy traces back to a widely circulated folk song sung by Saroj Sargam that allegedly used objectionable language against Goddess Durga, leading to protests by Hindu groups in Mirzapur. According to media reports, police had arrested both Sargam and her husband after outrage over the song escalated on social media and complaints were lodged alleging insult to religious beliefs.

Case Title: Rajveer Singh Yadav vs. State of U.P.

Order Date: April 23, 2026

Bench: Justice Sameer Jain