Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui’s bail plea was rejected on Thursday by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

As per a complaint from Eklavya Singh Gaur, son of the Indore BJP MLA Malini Gaur and convenor of Hind Rakshak Sangathan, a ring-wing outfit, Faruqui allegedly made questionable remarks about Hindu deities.

 Justice Rohit Arya of the Madhya Pradesh High Court said in his ruling that making a case for Faruqui’s bail is out of order due to the relevant material and witness accounts collected in the case, as well as due to the reason that investigation for the matter was ongoing.

Also read: Madhya Pradesh High Court rejects bail plea of comedian Munawar Faruqui

He refused to comment on the contentions of the different parties involved in the case.

Even before comedian Munawar Faruqui began his act at an event in Indore on New Years Day, a ruckus erupted. Soon, Faruqui and four of his associates were arrested by the city police.

While talking to reporters, Gaur said the show insulted Hindu deities and performers made remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 

However, local police officer Kamlesh Sharma told The Indian Express that there was “no evidence” against him for insulting Hindu deities or Home Minister Shah. 

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Indore’s Superintendent of Police Vijay Khatri told Article 14 last week that the comedian was arrested over a complaint by Gaur, who said he overheard some jokes during rehearsal.

But does the lack of video evidence matter?

“Doesn’t really matter,” the SP told the news website.

“There was ruckus at the venue even before Faruqui could perform. But, we were told (by the complainants) that they (the comedians]) were cracking jokes about Ram and Shiv ji while rehearsing,” Khatri added.

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A session’s judge denied Faruqui’s bail plea on January 5. 

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh police obtained a production warrant for Faruqui in a case filed in April, last year, at Prayagraj, The Indian Express reported on Monday. In the case, the complainant alleged that Faruqui mocked Hindu deities and made remarks against the Home Minister.

The comedian has moved the Madhya Pradesh (MP) High Court for an urgent hearing on his pending bail application after the UP police sought his custody, Bar and Bench reported.

Several comedians railed behind Faruqui, with actor-comic Vir Das sharing an old tweet by PM Narendra Modi’s 2017 tweet on the importance of humour.

“I think we need more satire and humour. Humour brings happiness in our lives. Humour is the best healer,” the Prime Minister’s Office had tweeted, quoting Modi.