New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Monday restored the bail granted to Youtuber Duraimurugan Sattai who allegedly made derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
While pronouncing the order, the apex court observed that if before elections, it starts jailing everyone who makes allegations on YouTube, "imagine how many will be jailed?".
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan set aside the order cancelling Sattai's bail while observing that there were no grounds to cancel bail. The bench further queried the Tamil Nadu counsel as to who will decide what is scandalous? The bench urged the state’s counsel to look at the "bigger picture". Advocate M Yogesh Kanna represented Sattai before the apex court.
"If before elections, we start putting behind bars everyone who makes allegations on YouTube, imagine how many will be jailed?" Justice Oka posed to Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state.
The apex court noted that the appellant continues to be on bail for over two years through an interim order. The bench further added that it does not think that by protesting and expressing views the appellant can be said to have misused his liberty. After hearing submissions, the apex court said: “we do not find grounds to cancel bail”.