Delhi Court Grants Bail In AI-Morphed Image Case Showing 'PM Modi Bowing to SRK'
Delhi court grants bail to man accused of posting AI-morphed image of PM Modi.
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A Delhi court has granted regular bail to Mujahid Jamal Shaikh, a 34-year-old man accused of posting an AI-morphed image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowing to actor Shah Rukh Khan on social media. The court considered the accused’s lack of prior criminal record, his cooperation with the investigation, and the primarily electronic nature of the evidence before making its decision. The accused’s mobile phone was seized, and the relevant social media account was deactivated at the request of the investigating officer.
As reported by Bar and Bench, Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler of the Patiala House Courts granted bail after noting that there was no likelihood of the accused absconding or tampering with evidence. The prosecution alleged that the reposted AI-generated image, shared on 1 February 2026, depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a derogatory manner and could promote disharmony.
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police booked Shaikh under Sections 336(4) (forgery), 356(2) (criminal defamation), and 353(2) (promoting hatred) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Court documents indicated that the accused had cooperated with the investigation, and the evidence was primarily electronic in nature.
Shaikh’s legal counsel argued that the post did not create hatred or disharmony among groups and challenged the application of penal provisions by the Delhi Police. The court also addressed procedural concerns, including a disputed document related to the “grounds of arrest.” During proceedings, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, was directed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the authenticity of this document.
The judge stated that, “If necessary, opinion of a handwriting expert may be obtained,” regarding the authenticity of the arrest documentation. Further legal steps will depend on the outcome of this inquiry.
The court observed, “There is no likelihood of the accused absconding or tampering with evidence. The accused has deep roots in society and has no prior criminal record.”
Advocates Aamir Raza Khan, Sazid SR Shah, and Amit Singh represented Mujahid Jamal Shaikh, while Additional Public Prosecutor Mukul Kumar appeared for the Delhi Police. Legal representation was confirmed in the official court order.
The Delhi Police maintained that the AI-morphed image was objectionable and could promote disharmony. The court, however, found that the accused’s cooperation and the nature of the evidence justified bail. Case developments will continue as the inquiry into procedural aspects proceeds.
The order further stated, “The evidence in the case is primarily electronic and the accused had cooperated with the investigation.”
Additional Sessions Judge Laler’s order emphasised that the accused’s mobile phone had already been seized and the social media account in question was deactivated at the investigating officer’s request. Bail conditions were set in accordance with standard legal procedures.
Note: This article is produced using AI-assisted tools and is based on publicly available information. It has been reviewed by The Quint's editorial team before publishing.