HC orders inquiry into derogatory tweets against Court, Judge by complainant unhappy with grant of pre-arrest bail to accused

Read Order: Vishali Kapoor And Ors v. State Of Punjab And Another

LE Staff

Chandigarh, August 16, 2021: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed for an inquiry into the genuineness and authenticity of derogatory tweets made against the HC and a sitting Judge allegedly by a man, who was apparently disgruntled due to bail granted to the accused in a case pertaining to a complaint filed by him. 

The case concerns one Vaishali Kapoor who is facing charges under Indian Penal Code section 306, for alleged abetment to suicide of her father-in-law, as per an FIR dated August 6, 2020 registered in Kotwali police station, Nabha, in Punjab’s Patiala district.

Vaishali, the petitioner in the present case, was granted anticipatory bail by the High Court Bench of Justice Anil Kshetarpal on October 29, 2020.

When the case came up for hearing before the High Court bench of Justice Raj Mohan Singh on December 4, 2020, the State counsel on instructions from ASI Gursewak submitted that Vishali Kapoor had joined the investigation and she was not required for any further investigation in the case. 

The counsel for the complainant of the FIR, however, opposed the bail on the ground that after grant of interim bail, Ambala police had adopted in-different attitude against the entire family of the complainant. 

The High Court, however, confirmed the order granting anticipatory bail and observed that if the complainant was aggrieved of any act of the Ambala Police, he may resort to his legal remedies in accordance with law.

During the recent hearing on August 10, the petitioner’s counsel provided screen shots of the derogatory tweets made by the complainant earlier this year against the High Court and the Judge, along with the pictures posted on the social media platform Twitter.   

“In view of nature of tweets allegedly made, it would be just and appropriate to enquire into the genuineness and authenticity of the tweets i.e. whether these tweets have been made by respondent No.2 or not,” the bench of Justice Singh said. 

It directed the Registrar Vigilance to get the aforesaid tweets enquired into by the competent authority within three weeks. “He would be at liberty to seek assistance of the police or any other expert in this regard. Report to that effect be brought on record,” the High Court added.

The Bench also directed that the matter be listed before another bench on August 16, 2021.