By Rajesh Pandey
The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Shah Rukh Khan, an accused in a case involving the circulation of a controversial Facebook video allegedly containing edited visuals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a derogatory and politically sensitive context amid Indo-Pakistan tensions and the backdrop of Operation Sindoor.
The order was passed by Justice Krishan Pahal on August 4, 2025, with specific conditions aimed at ensuring the integrity of the trial process. The court directed that the accused must: Do not
- t tamper with evidence during the trial; and
- Appear before the trial court on all scheduled dates of hearing.
Background of the Case
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Sasani Police Station in Hathras district, the main accused in the matter is Ashraf Khan, who allegedly edited and uploaded videos on social media platforms related to the India–Pakistan conflict.
The FIR details several instances of alleged objectionable content, including:
- Visuals portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi riding on a donkey cart carrying an aircraft, and appearing to apologise to Pakistan.
- Edited scenes allegedly showing Wing Commander Vyomika Singh being humiliated before the Pakistani Army Chief.
- Depictions of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh placing lemons on a Rafale fighter jet, which was then shown as being destroyed by Pakistani forces.
- Another video allegedly showing Pakistan Air Force jets shooting down Indian aircraft and a missile strike “blowing up” the Prime Minister mid-air.
The FIR characterised these acts as:
- Seditious in nature;
- Inciting war against the Government of India, and
- Threatening the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the nation.
Arguments in Court
During the bail hearing, counsel for the applicant Shahrukh Khan — who was arrested on May 16, 2025 — argued that:
- The applicant’s name was not mentioned in the FIR.
- The primary allegations concerned Ashraf Khan, who was said to have created and uploaded the controversial content.
- Shah Rukh Khan was merely accused of sharing the video and had no direct involvement in its creation; and
- His social media account might have been misused by another individual without his consent.
The State Counsel opposed the bail plea in principle but notably did not dispute the factual submissions made on behalf of the applicant.
Court’s Observations and Decision
After reviewing the facts, hearing both sides, and considering the circumstances — while refraining from commenting on the merits of the case — the High Court found it appropriate to grant bail to the applicant.
In his order dated August 4, Justice Pahal observed that the conditions imposed would ensure the applicant’s cooperation with the trial and protect the judicial process from interference. The decision underscores the court’s approach of balancing the seriousness of the allegations with the rights of the accused pending trial.
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