The Supreme Court on Monday declined the bail plea of a man arrested for tweeting objectionable remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his son, Aditya.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde asked him instead to approach the High Court.
“The High Court can also uphold your fundamental rights. It can also transfer the case and grant you bail. Then why are you coming under Article 32 ... Please go to the High Court,” Chief Justice Bobde told Sameet Thakkar, represented by senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani.
Mr. Jethmalani said the offences arraigned against his client were bailable, yet he continued to languish in jail.
“This will shock Your Lordships,” Mr. Jethamalani pressed on.
“We are quite immune from shock. We see it every day. Nothing shocks us,” Chief Justice Bobde replied.
Advocate Rahul Chitnis, for Maharashtra, said the State would not oppose the bail plea of the accused pending before the Magistrate. His custodial questioning was over.
Mr. Jethmalani said that as many as three FIRs had been lodged against Mr. Thakkar for his tweets only and he was arrested on October 24 from Rajkot
