DU professor Ratan Lal was arrested late on Friday night in a complaint filed against him by a lawyer over his social media post on the Gyanvapi mosque controversy.
New Delhi: Hours after the arrest of a Delhi University professor in connection with his post on Shivling, on Sunday granted bail by a Delhi Court. The history professor of Hindu College will have to furnish a bond of Rs 50000 to come out of jail. The court, while granting him bail, said that he will have to refrain himself from commenting on the issue. The court also ordered not to make any social media posts in connection with the controversy.
DU professor Ratan Lal was arrested late on Friday night in a complaint filed against him by a lawyer over his social media post on the Gyanvapi mosque controversy. In the post, the professor allegedly raised suspicion over the claims of a Shivling being found inside the mosque complex.
The assistant professor had allegedly posted a photograph of the structure and made objectionable comments. As the news of Lal’s arrest spread, some student groups, including the All India Students Association, said they are gearing up to protest outside the police station in Maurice Nagar.
Lal was reportedly arrested by officers of north Delhi’s Cyber Police Station under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 295A (deliberate act to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion) of the Indian Penal Code.
Advocate Vineet Jindal in his complaint said Ratal Lal had recently shared a “derogatory, inciting and provocative tweet on the Shivling”. He added, Lal’s statement on his Twitter account is “instigating and provoking”.
Amid uproar over the Gyanvapi mosque survey, the Supreme Court on Friday had transferred the case to the district judge in Varanasi. The top court said that it would be better if an experienced judge hears the case. “In view of the sensitivity of the case, the civil suit before the civil judge in Varanasi shall be heard before a senior and experienced judicial officer of the UP judicial service,” the court said.
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