Factual reporting not an offence, says HC, junks YouTuber FIR

https://epaper.indiatimes.com/english-news-paper-today-toi-print-edition/5th-november-2026/factual-reporting-not-an-offence-says-hc-junks-youtuber-fir/printarticle/135552270.cms?redirectionSource=TOIWeb&_gl=1*1192m1o*_gcl_au*MjA5MzgyMjU3Ny4xNzg2OTgzMDEwLjE5MzkxNzgzMTcuMTc5Mzg0MDI4My4xNzkzODQwMjgyLjkxMzM1NjE2Ny4xNzkzODM4Njc2LjE3OTM4NDAzMDk.*_ga*MjA4MjI2Nzg2MC4xNzg2OTgyNzEz*_ga_FCN624MN68*c05hTiRvMSRnMCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.&tophead=epaper

Bhopal/Jabalpur: Factual reporting cannot be treated as an offence merely because someone perceives it could lead to communal disturbance, the MP high court said, quashing an FIR filed against a YouTuber over a video showing violence during a Ganesh idol immersion procession in Raisen district.Justice Himanshu Joshi passed the order Tuesday on a petition by Uvesh Khan, who was accused of promoting communal discord by uploading video footage of the violence in Silwani on Sept 6, 2025, which left several people injured. The court noted that Khan’s video showed what had actually happened. Police had booked Khan under BNS Section 196(1) — which penalises promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and indulging in acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony — based on a complaint alleging that the video was misleading, had caused panic among Hindus in the town and could have jeopardised communal harmony. — Ashutosh Shukla

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