In latest news, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday granted bail to a BJP worker Priyanka Sharma who was arrested for allegedly uploading a morphed image of Mamata Banerjee on Facebook. The SC asked her to apologise after the release.
SC also observed that freedom of speech comes to a close when it infringes upon others’ rights.
A vacation bench containing justices Indira Banerjee and Sanjiv Khanna said Priyanka Sharma, the BJP Yuva Morcha leader, will say sorry in writing upon her release from jail for allegedly uploading the morphed picture of the West Bengal CM.
During the hearing, the bench learnt that though freedom of speech is non-negotiable “your freedom of speech ends when it infringes upon others’ rights”. “Someone’s feelings have been hurt. There has to be an apology,” the Supreme Court added in a statement.
The bench also learnt that since Sharma is a member of a political party, the intent of posting such an image will be entirely different from those posted by common people.
“She is a member of the political party. Elections are going on. At this stage, we are not on the aspect of criminal law. We are asking for an apology because it is election time,” the Supreme Court bench stated.