Navneet, Ravi Rana 'Crossed the Line' but Not Enough To Invoke Sedition: Court

MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana were granted bail in the Matoshree-Hanuman Chalisa sedition case.

In a detailed order granting bail to MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana, in the Matoshree-Hanuman Chalisa sedition case, a special court stated that while the accused "had crossed the line of freedom of speech and expression," there was not sufficient ground for invoking sedition.

The Ranas were granted bail on Wednesday, 4 May, in connection with a case for threatening to recite Hanuman Chalisa with their supporters outside 'Matoshree', the private residence of Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. In a detailed order made available on Friday, the court stated:

"Undoubtedly, the applicants have crossed the lines of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution of India. However, mere expression of derogatory or objectionable words, may not be a sufficient ground for invoking the provisions contained in Section 124A of IPC. The said provisions would apply only when the written and spoken words have the tendency or intention of creating disorder or disturbance of public peace by resort to violence."