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News Topical, Digital Desk : The Allahabad High Court has refused to grant relief to Noor Ahmed Azhari, President of the Muslim Personal Law Board of Uttar Pradesh, who had accused the BJP-ruled states of intimidating Muslims and calling the Atiq-Ashraf murder case a government conspiracy.
The court dismissed a petition seeking quashing of the entire case filed on charges of inciting religious frenzy and disturbing communal harmony. The order was issued by a single bench of Justice Saurabh Srivastava. The controversy was sparked by a viral video.
In this, Pilibhit resident Noor Ahmed Azhari alleges that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is attempting to intimidate Muslims. The murders of Atiq and Ashraf were a deliberate conspiracy under the government's rule.
In the video, he also claimed that the current government has no faith in the Constitution. Based on this video, the police registered an FIR. Following the investigation, a charge sheet was filed on charges of promoting enmity, ill-will, or hatred between different religious groups.
Azhari had filed a petition in the High Court seeking to quash the entire trial proceedings. He claimed the case was politically motivated and against freedom of expression. The petitioner's lawyer argued that Azhari was presenting the views of the Muslim Personal Law Board in the debate.
'Statements do not constitute a crime'
Their statements do not constitute a crime. The Additional Government Advocate, representing the state government, opposed the petition, stating that these facts are evidence and can only be determined during the trial.
The court cited various Supreme Court decisions and stated that the magistrate was only required to determine whether there were sufficient grounds to proceed. The High Court observed that the FIR details allegations against the applicant of inciting religious incitement and hatred towards a particular community, which created an apprehension of breach of public peace.
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