MP High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Cartoonist for Allegedly Mocking RSS & PM Modi

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refused anticipatory bail to cartoonist Hemant Malviya for a Facebook post allegedly mocking the RSS and Prime Minister Modi in an "undignified” manner.

Justice Subodh Abhyankar said Malviya had misused free speech and acted in bad faith by adding derogatory remarks involving Lord Shiva.

The Court called the caricature offensive and harmful to public harmony, ruling that his actions were deliberate and promoted religious disharmony.

Consequently, protections under Section 41A CrPC and the Arnesh Kumar judgment were denied. Malviya was booked in May following a complaint by an RSS member. (Hemant Malviya v The State of MP)