Kochi: The High Court on Friday granted bail to Rehana Fathima arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiment with her Facebook posts based on a complaint by BJP leader Radhakrishna Menon. The court however restrained her from entering the limits of Pamba police station.
The court cautioned her from making posts in social media that could be construed as detrimental to religious harmony or hurting religious sentiments. Stating that the situation prevailing at present is different from that prevailed at the time of application for anticipatory bail the court pointed out that she need not be confined to judicial custody anymore.
Rehana Fathima, an employee of BSNL, was arrested by Pathanamthitta police on November 27 following the High Court rejecting her anticipatory bail petition under section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code for posting pictures allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Ms. Rehana also shot into fame when she made attempt to trek to the Sabarimala Temple with the Supreme Court allowing entry of women without any age bar into temple.
BSNL has suspended Ms Rehana from the services following her arrest. A protest meeting planned by Rehana Action Council in Kochi on Saturday has been cancelled following the court granting her bail.
