On Monday, the Allahabad High Court granted four weeks’ time to the state government to file its reply in the regular bail plea moved by freelance journalist Prashant Kanojia.
Kanojia was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police on August 18 and held in custody since then over a tweet that may promote violence between some communities or groups.
Soon after the tweet an FIR was registered against him by the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on August 17.
Kanojia had posted pictures of Ram Mandir construction, Ayodhya, with the President of India, the Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on his Twitter account accompanied by offensive comments.
According to the reports, the FIR against him was registered by Shashank Shekhar Singh, under Sections 505(1)(b) (Statements conducing to public mischief with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public), 501 (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 500 (Defamation) of IPC and Section 67 of the IT Act.
Kanojia was arrested last year as well, for a tweet that had insulted Ajay Singh Bisht also known as Yogi Adityanath the chief minister of UP.
It was also alleged that he made comments against the Dalit community, and his posts were intended to incite violence against caste and religious sentiments among the citizens.