Guwahati High Court Denies Pre-arrest Bail, Supreme Court Intervenes
New Delhi, 17 March, 24: In a significant development, the Supreme Court has extended protection from arrest to Rakib Uddin Ahmed, who stands accused of posting an obscene poem on Hindu deities Lord Ram and Sita on his Facebook account. Ahmed, allegedly operating under the pseudonym "Neelabh Sourav," shared the controversial poem on January 22, 2024.
The bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti took note of Ahmed's apology and issued a notice in the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by him. The court ordered that Ahmed shall not be arrested, provided he cooperates with the ongoing investigation into the matter.
Ahmed's appeal to the Supreme Court stemmed from the Gauhati High Court's decision to deny him pre-arrest bail. Justice Robin Phukan, in the impugned order, highlighted Ahmed's attempt to conceal his real identity while publishing the poem under a fictitious name. The High Court expressed concern that the poem could potentially incite enmity and hatred among different religious groups.
Furthermore, the High Court observed that Ahmed had been evading arrest since the incident, indicating a lack of cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
The Supreme Court's decision to grant interim protection to Ahmed underscores the complex legal and constitutional issues surrounding freedom of expression and religious sensitivities. While Ahmed's apology and cooperation with the investigation have influenced the court's decision, the case raises broader questions about the limits of artistic expression in a diverse society.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Rakib Uddin Ahmed serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the need to maintain communal harmony and respect for religious beliefs.
