A court in Gujarat’s Kutch district has granted bail to Mumbai-based Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari in a second “hate speech” case related to a religious event held in Samakhiali town. This decision comes after Azhari’s recent arrest and subsequent remand in police custody.
The bail was granted by a court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Y Sharma at Bhachau, confirmed Samakhiali police sub-inspector Vishal Patel.
Following the bail grant, Azhari was transferred to Rajkot Central Jail, from where Arvalli police will take custody of him for a third “hate speech” case registered at Modasa police station.
Initially arrested on February 5 from Mumbai in connection with an alleged hate speech delivered in Junagadh, Azhari had secured bail in the first case on February 7. However, he was arrested by Kutch police for another “inflammatory speech” during a religious event in Samakhiari on January 31, leading to his remand in custody till Sunday.
Upon his appearance before the Bhachau court, Azhari’s lawyer filed a bail application, which was granted after due consideration by the court.
Azhari faces charges under Indian Penal Code sections 153B (promoting enmity between religious groups) and 505(2) (making statements conducive to public mischief) in Junagadh and Kutch cases. Additionally, in the Modasa case, he is charged under section 298 for “uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings” and relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act due to derogatory remarks against the SC community made in his speech.
