Manisha Yadav
On 29 July 2025, the Bombay High Court held that reacting with a laughing emoji to the celebrations during ‘Operation Sindoor’ in a WhatsApp group, and sharing a video status portray the Indian flag on fire with an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seated on a rocket, could lead to serious legal consequences. This deemed as to threaten the sovereignty, integrity, and unity of India, as well as to promote enmity between different groups.
A division bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Rajesh Patil declined to dismiss the First Information Report (FIR) filed against Farah Deeba, a 46-year-old teacher, who created controversy in Pune.
The Bombay High Court said that the Petitioner had disclosed to the complainant that her paternal and maternal relatives were from Pakistan, mentioning to India as Makkar, which clearly indicates the malicious intention. She said that her mental health was not well at the time of the objectionable acts.
The bench warned that such actions created a high civil disturbance. An individual, particularly someone with the Petitioner’s educational qualifications should carefully share a message on social media platforms. Certain groups misuse social media under the pretext of Freedom of Speech and Expression; such conduct creates a threat to national unity and public order.
Case Name: Farah Deeba v The State of Maharashtra
Case Number: Criminal Writ Petition No. 3257 of 2025
Bench: Justice A.S Gadkari & Justice Rajesh S. Patil
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