[Tandav Web Series] Allahabad High Court grants anticipatory bail to Amazon Prime India head Aparna Purohit

The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to Aparna Purohit, the Commercial Head of Amazon Prime Video in relation to a complaint made in Lucknow, arising from purchase of the rights of web series "Tandav" [Aparna Purohit v State of UP]..The prosecution told Justice Krishan Pahal that in the said web series, certain scenes portrayed God in a very derogatory manner, hurting the sentiments of the public at large..Purohit was seeking pre-arrest bail in relation to the offences of promoting enmity between different groups, injuring or defiling place of worship, statements conducing to public mischief, creating or promoting enmity hatred or ill-will between classes, forgery for purpose of harming reputation under the Indian Penal Code, and offences under the Information Technology Act, 2008. .The applicant's counsel argued that she had no intention of hurting anyone's sentiment. Further, it was submitted that all episodes of the web series were coincidental. It was also submitted that the applicant had no criminal history and there was no possibility of her fleeing from justice, and, therefore, she was entitled to interim protection..Although the State opposed the application, the single-judge was of the opinion that the applicant deserved to be granted anticipatory bail. "Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the opinion that the applicant deserves to be granted anticipatory bail in connection with the aforesaid case," the Court said..The Court, therefore, granted anticipatory bail subject to following conditions:"(A) In the event of arrest of the applicant involved in aforesaid case shall be released on anticipatory bail till the submission of police report, if any, under section 173(2) Cr.P.C. before the competent Court on his/her furnishing a personal bond of Rs.50,000/- with two sureties each of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Station House Officer of the police station concerned; (B) The applicant shall co-operate with the Investigating Officer during investigation and shall report to the Investigating Officer as and when required for the purpose of conducting investigation; (C) The applicant shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer; and (D) The applicant shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court.".However, it was left open to the public prosecutor, investigating officer or first informant to move the Court for cancellation of bail should there be any default on misuse on the applicant's part..The High Court had, in February last year, rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by Purohit saying that there was a deliberate and malicious intention on her part to outrage religious feelings, which would attract the offence under Section 153-A of the IPC..[Tandav FIR] Ten reasons why the Allahabad High Court rejected the anticipatory bail by Aparna Purohit .In March 2021 the Supreme Court granted her interim protection from arrest in an appeal appeal challenging the Allahabad High Court order. .Senior Advocate Jaideep Narayan Mathur with Advocates Purnendu Chakravarty, Anuuj Taandon and Shivanshu Goswami appeared for the applicant while Additional Government Advocate Santosh Mishra appeared for the State. .[Read Order]