HC stays arrest of blogger Jyoti Adhikari in 5 cases

my uttarakhand news Bureau
Nainital, 20 Jan: The Uttarakhand High Court has granted relief to blogger Jyoti Adhikari by staying her arrest in five of the seven cases filed against her for allegedly using derogatory language against deities and women of the hills. The single Winter Vacation bench comprising Justice Alok Mahra, after hearing the matter, directed the state government to submit its response within three weeks while issuing the stay order.
The court also instructed Jyoti Adhikari to immediately remove all related posts from social media platforms to prevent further public distress. Emphasising the importance of restraint in online expression, the bench observed that language used on social media must not offend the sentiments of others.
According to case records, Adhikari, a resident of Haldwani, had allegedly used offensive language and made insulting remarks while wielding a sickle during recent protests held in Dehradun and on social media during the agitation in support of demand for a CBI Inquiry in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Her statements reportedly targeted the local deities and women of the mountainous regions, sparking widespread controversy and hurting religious sentiments. As a result, seven cases were registered against her in different locations, including Haldwani. She has already spent a few days in jail in connection with two of these cases, while the High Court heard the remaining five matters on 20 January.
During the proceedings, the state counsel argued that Adhikari deliberately used objectionable words against deities and hill women to gain popularity on social media. The counsel maintained that such remarks caused deep emotional and spiritual distress to the local population and stressed that bloggers must avoid language that disrupts communal harmony.
On behalf of the petitioner, the counsel submitted that the controversial posts had already been removed and any remaining content would be deleted promptly. It was further argued that since Adhikari had already spent six days in jail in relation to two of the cases, her arrest should be stayed in the remaining five. Taking these submissions into consideration, the court granted the stay on her arrest.