Karnataka High Court Grants Bail To Woman Accused Of Raising 'Jai Bangla' Slogan, Notes She Later Shouted 'Jai Bharat Mata Ki Jai'

The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to a 25-year-old woman, a resident of West Bengal, who was arrested for shouting the slogan 'Jai Bangla' during a demolition drive in Bengaluru this January.

The single judge bench of Justice S.Rachaiah noted that the woman had uttered 'Jai Bharath Mata Ki Jai' thrice after uttering 'Jai Bangla' once. A person had instigated the woman to shout 'Jai Bharath Mata Ki Jai' at first, the court observed in the bail order pronounced on 11^th March.

“….Perused the averments of the complaint, which indicates that the authority was clearing the sheds which were constructed unauthorizedly in the government land. The said process was being captured by one of the persons. At that time, a person had instigated the petitioner herein to shout a slogan as “Jai Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. However, she called “Jai Bangla” and thereafter, again, she shouted the slogan as “Jai Bharat Mata Ki Jai” thrice…”, the court noted in the bail order.

The court also reasoned that the woman, hailing from West Bengal, had two young children needing her care and protection. Accordingly, the woman was let out on bail, provided that she executes a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 1 Lakh with one local surety to the like sum, for the satisfaction of the Trial Court. Hence, the court allowed the bail petition.

On 11th January, 2026, based on a viral social media clip, FIR was registered against the woman who shouted 'Jai Bangla' at the site of demolition. Crime No. 23/2026 was registered at Hebbagodi Police Station for offences under Sections 152, 196, 197(1), and 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 In the FIR, it was written that she uttered the slogan with the intention to hurt the sentiments of Indians and to undermine the national unity and sovereignty. The petitioner was arrested on 12^th January, and she has remained in judicial custody ever since. Earlier, the Additional Sessions and District Judge at Anekal had rejected the petitioner's bail application.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that she was a housemaid working at Hebbagodi. She had uttered the slogan by provocation. The state submitted that an Indian national should not have shouted 'Jai Bangla' slogan, thereby hurting the sentiments of Indians.

Advocate Mohammad Rasheef M appeared for the petitioner. Government Pleader Anitha N represented the state.

Case Title: Smt. Sarbhanu Khatoon v. State of Karnataka

Case No: CRL.P No. 2317 of 2026

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