Allahabad High Court Grants Bail to Two Men Accused of Reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa' Outside Mosque

The Allahabad High Court granted bail to Sachin Sirohi and Sanjay Samarval, members of the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti, who were arrested in March for allegedly reciting the 'Hanuman Chalisa' near a mosque in Meerut.  

They faced charges under Sections 191(2), 196, and 197 of the BNS for rioting, promoting enmity between groups, and making assertions prejudicial to national integration.  

The prosecution claimed they raised anti-religious slogans and threatened to demolish the mosque, causing public disorder.  The defense argued the allegations were politically motivated and lacked credible evidence.  

Justice Raj Beer Singh emphasized the presumption of innocence before conviction and stated that detention should not be punitive, leading to the grant of bail.