Bombay HC quashes FIR over objectionable post on Ambedkar
- The Bombay High Court quashed an FIR against Dnyaneshwar Wakale for forwarding an objectionable post about Babasaheb Ambedkar.
- The court criticized the police investigation for failing to trace the original source of the post and emphasized the need for self-restraint in sharing content on social media.
- The judges concluded that not every forward on social media is intended to incite unrest, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations in such cases.
The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court quashed an FIR against Dnyaneshwar Wakale, who was accused of forwarding an objectionable post about Babasaheb Ambedkar in a WhatsApp group. The FIR, registered in 2018, charged him with outraging religious sentiments and promoting enmity under the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The court acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding such posts but emphasized that not every forward on social media is intended to incite unrest. The judges noted that many individuals lack the technical knowledge to navigate social media responsibly, leading to unintentional consequences. They criticized the police investigation for its inadequacy, highlighting that it failed to trace the original source of the post or determine how it became viral. The court urged for more thorough investigations in similar cases to ensure justice and protect individuals from unwarranted legal action.