Delhi High Court: An application was filed by Ajaz Khan, an Indian actor, under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) seeking anticipatory bail in FIR filed by Harsh Beniwal’s mother, regarding the sexually explicit remarks he had made against her and her daughter. A Single Judge Bench of Ravinder Dudeja, J., held that there was no need for Ajaz Khan’s custodial interrogation because the relevant documents, i.e., his i-phone and i-Pad were in the custody of Bombay police. Accordingly, the Court granted anticipatory bail to him and stated that every content on the internet should be uploaded with great caution, especially when the uploader had a large audience and exercised influence in society.
Background
In the present case, Harsh Beniwal recorded and posted a parody video titled as “A Day with Najayaz Bhai” on his YouTube channel with categoric disclaimer “This is purely work of fiction and any resemblance to person living/dead is purely coincidental….” Thereafter, Ajaz Khan released a reaction video through his official social media handles wherein he uttered sexually explicit remarks against Harsh Beniwal’s mother and sister. After this, he again posted a video issuing threat.
Harsh Beniwal’s mother filed FIR against Ajaz Khan under Section 79 Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 alleging that he published as well as circulated offensive and sexually explicit reaction video targeting her and her daughter. Subsequently, notice under section 35(3) of BNSS was served with directions to Ajaz Khan to appear before the investigating agency.
Ajaz Khan’s counsel contended that the video made by him was in retaliation to the derogatory and defamatory video made by Harsh Beniwal wherein he referred him as “bastard-najaayaz khan” and the video was later taken down.
Analysis and Decision
The Court noted that both Ajaz Khan and Harsh Beniwal were social medial influencers, having a large set of audiences, who would be influenced by the material posted by them. Thus, even if the content was deleted after being posted, it would reach a large set of audience thereby leading to republishing of the same content which could spark a debate over the content among their followers, eventually affecting the victim. The Court opined that one should cautiously use social media before posting any content, as it might adversely affect not only the particular individual, but their respective fans also at the same time.
Considering that Ajaz Khan had surrendered his i-Phone and i-Pad with Bombay Police upon Bombay High Court’s direction for granting interim protection to him, the Court held that the need for his custodial interrogation did not arise, particularly because the relevant documents were no longer within his control. The Court further emphasized that the arrest should not be mechanical or automatic, especially when no necessity was demonstrated for custodial interrogation and the apprehension of non-cooperation by the State could not override the principle of ‘bail not jail’.
Accordingly, the Court disposed of the application by granting anticipatory bail to Ajaz Khan subject to a personal bond of Rs 30,000 with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Arresting Officer.
Further, the Court stressed that the internet had made knowledge easily accessible by intensifying its circulation, however, it had also brought a large audience of every age group and any content on the internet was porous and accessible to a large audience. Further, the Court stated that every content on the internet should be uploaded with great caution, especially when the uploader had a large audience and exercised influence in society.
The Court stated that, “The freedom of ‘speech’ and ‘expression’ granted by the Constitution under Article 19 should be exercised within the bounds of the reasonable restrictions it places. When the speech crosses the line into insult, humiliation, or incitement, it collides with the right to dignity. The free speech should therefore not trample on the dignity and vice versa.”
[Ajaz Khan v. State (NCT of Delhi), BAIL APPLN. 3126 of 2025, decided on 9-10-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Petitioner: Khalid Akhtar, Bilal Khan, Md. Shadan, Ahteshanuddin, Advs.
For the Respondent: Yudhvir Singh Chauhan, APP with Insp. Sandeep Panwar and SI Naveen, P.S. Cyber Central