Kerala High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Malayalam Director Akhil Marar Booked For Posting Facebook Video On Pahalgam Terror Attack

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (May 28) granted anticipatory bail to Malayalam Movie Director Akhil Marar in the case of allegedly endangering the sovereignty and unity of India by posting a Facebook video about the Pahalgam terror attack and the retaliation by the Indian force."Since the petitioner is willing to cooperate with the investigation, I am of the view that this is a fit case to protect the petitioner with an order of anticipatory bail" ordered Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas.The complaint was filed by Aneesh Kizhakkekara, a local BJP leader in Kottarakkara, Kollam. It is alleged that Marar in video posted on his Facebook account on 11th May said that none of the terrorists involved in the terrorist attack could be captured. It is alleged that the video claimed that the India gave weapons to Baloochistan activists to create instigation in Pakistan and India killed common civilians while retaliating against Pakistan. Akhil Marar is booked under Section 152 of BNS (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) by the Kottarakara, Kollam police station.Marar in his petition mentioned that the broad scope of Section 152 is misused by the complainant and police. As per the petitioner, he had tried to delete the video as soon as it was posted but it remained in his page for a day due to some technical error. The Court did not enter into a view on whether allegations under Section 152 was warranted."Though the above contentions are impressive, I am of the view that since the matter is under investigation, it is not proper for this Court to enter into a finding on the same." The petitioner stated that he was just making his observations on the current scenario and S. 152 is used against him to threaten and prevent him from expressing his dissent. The petitioner also pointed towards his Facebook posts praising operation Sindoor and Indian Army.The petition is moved by Advocates Bimala Baby, Jasmine Ligy, Magi Pavithran, Roshan ShajiCase Title: Akhil Raj v State of Kerala and OthersCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 304Case No: BA 6655/ 2025Click Here To Read/ Download Order

Kerala High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Malayalam Director Akhil Marar Booked For Posting Facebook Video On Pahalgam Terror Attack

Manju Elsa Isac

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