YouTuber Ajeet Bharti Moves Delhi Court Seeking Anticipatory Bail In SC/ST Act FIR

YouTuber Ajeet Bharti Seeks Anticipatory Bail in SC/ST Act Case Before Delhi Court

YouTuber and political commentator Ajeet Bharti has moved Delhi's Patiala House Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR registered against him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

The matter came up before Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler on August 25. During the hearing, counsel appearing for Bharti argued that the allegations made in the complaint do not disclose any offence under the SC/ST Act and that no grounds exist for custodial interrogation.

According to reports, the FIR was registered at North Avenue Police Station in Delhi following a complaint regarding remarks allegedly made by Bharti during a YouTube programme. The complainant accused Bharti of using caste-based and abusive language, making objectionable comments concerning political leader Chandrashekhar Azad and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, employing sexually degrading language against women, and issuing threats.

The FIR reportedly invokes provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, and Sections 196(1)(c) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

During the proceedings, Bharti's counsel submitted that the police had not yet issued a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which generally requires the issuance of a notice of appearance in cases where immediate arrest is not warranted.

The court directed that if any such notice is issued by the Investigating Officer, a copy should be placed on record for judicial examination. The court also issued notice to the police and summoned the Investigating Officer in connection with the anticipatory bail plea.

The matter has been listed for further arguments on August 31. A detailed order is awaited.

Bharti has publicly denied making casteist remarks and has maintained that his statements were made in response to offensive comments directed at his family. The allegations and defences raised by the parties are expected to be examined during the course of the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.