Madhya Pradesh HC Denies Relief to Man Over WhatsApp Message Claiming Beef Consumption Essential to Hinduism

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refused to quash an FIR against a man who posted on WhatsApp that beef consumption is essential to being Hindu, finding the statement potentially inflammatory and capable of disturbing communal harmony.

The court observed that the matter involved allegations of circulating material hurting religious sentiments or promoting disharmony.

It noted that whether the accused acted with deliberate malice or in good faith could not be determined at this preliminary stage, allowing the criminal proceedings to continue.

Concluding that no case was made out for exercise of extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution, the Court dismissed the plea.

[Buddha Prakash Bouddha v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors.]