Forwarding 'Pakistan Zindabad' post not offence of endangering India's sovereignty: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court ruled that forwarding a social media post with the slogan “Pakistan Zindabad” does not by itself amount to the offence of endangering India’s sovereignty or integrity under penal statutes. The Court emphasised the distinction between expressing political slogans and committing acts that genuinely threaten national security. It observed that criminalisation of mere forwarding, absent intent or incitement to violence, would impermissibly infringe on free speech rights. The judgment highlights the importance of applying penal provisions narrowly, respecting constitutional guarantees of expression, and avoiding over-criminalisation of digital speech. It also sets precedent for courts to balance state concerns with fundamental freedoms in the age of social media.