Patna Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Khan Sir In Coaching Institute Firing Case
Patna Sessions Court confirms anticipatory bail for educator Khan Sir in the coaching institute firing case; security guards also granted regular bail.
A Sessions Court in Patna on Monday (July 13) granted anticipatory bail to prominent educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as 'Khan Sir', in connection with a firing incident that took place outside his coaching institute in early June.
The relief was granted by Sessions Judge Rupesh Deo while allowing the anticipatory bail plea filed by Khan, who apprehended arrest in the matter.
Furthermore, the Court also allowed the regular bail applications of his security guards, who were presently lodged in judicial custody in connection with the same incident.
Background of the Case
The case stems from an incident in early June when a group of miscreants allegedly attacked and vandalised Khan's coaching institute in Patna. During the ensuing altercation, Khan's security guards allegedly opened fire.
Khan Sir had initially alleged that managers at neighbouring coaching centres had opened fire on his institute. However, the police allege that it was Khan Sir's own security personnel who had opened fire during the chaos.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered against Khan and his guards. The charges were framed under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to the offence of 'attempt to murder', read with Sections 25(9), 27, and 35 of the Arms Act, dealing with the unlawful possession and use of firearms.
On June 9, the Sessions Court granted him interim anticipatory bail, directing him to strictly cooperate with the investigating officer and remain available for questioning whenever required by the police. On Monday, the Court confirmed the pre-arrest bail for the educator.
Arguments by Khan Sir
It was Khan Sir’s case before the Patna Court that he was not directly involved in the firing incident, which was a matter of "private defence", and that he cooperated with the police at all stages of investigation.
Although the complainant’s counsel had argued that Khan had concealed his criminal antecedents while seeking anticipatory bail, Khan Sir’s counsel maintained that the police had already completed the investigation and submitted the case diary and there was no justification for introducing fresh issues at this stage.
Defamation Suit in Delhi High Court against Khan Sir
Khan Sir is also embroiled in a Rs. 2 crore defamation suit filed by journalist Anjana Om Kashyap and TV Today Network before the Delhi High Court.
The controversy stems from a live debate on the NEET examination system, during which Kashyap allegedly criticised online teachers, calling them "frauds" and "individuals chasing views".
In response, Khan Sir and others allegedly described the journalist and the news channel using expressions such as "bikau patrakar", "dalali", and "fake news ki dukaan". The videos of these remarks were widely disseminated on online platforms.
According to the suit, Khan Sir subsequent remarks targeting the journalist and the channel were defamatory. The plaintiffs have sought removal of the allegedly defamatory content from online and social media platforms and damages of Rs 2 crore.
However, earlier this month, the Delhi High Court deferred granting immediate interim relief and instead referred the dispute to mediation, observing that the parties appeared willing to explore an amicable settlement over the remarks made during the broadcast.