Shouting 'Jai Sriram' Inside Mosque Doesn't Outrage Religious Feelings: Karnataka High Court Quashes Case

The Karnataka High Court quashed a criminal case against two men accused of shouting “Jai Sriram” inside a mosque, ruling that the act did not outrage religious feelings under IPC Section 295A. The court noted that the complainant himself stated that Hindus and Muslims lived in harmony in the area, and the incident did not disrupt public order. The court emphasized that not every act falls under Section 295A unless it has a deliberate and malicious intent to insult religion. The court also found no evidence of criminal trespass or intimidation, as the mosque is a public place. The ruling highlighted the importance of context and intent in determining whether an act constitutes an offence under Section 295A, and stressed that judicial proceedings should not be misused to settle personal scores or create communal discord.