The Patiala House Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by YouTuber and commentator Ajeet Bharti in a case registered against him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler passed the order at Patiala House Courts. A detailed order is awaited.

The FIR was registered at North Avenue Police Station on August 23 on a complaint by Balakram Bauddh, Delhi State President of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), concerning a video titled “SB79: Reservation Hatao Andolan Nautanki & More | Saptahik Bakaiti” published on Ajeet Bharti’s social media handle. The complaint alleges that Bharti used caste-based and abusive language and made objectionable remarks concerning Azad Samaj Party leader Chandrashekhar Azadand BR Ambedkar, besides allegedly issuing threats. The FIR also invokes Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and Sections 196(1)(c) and 351(3) of the BNS.

Appearing for Bharti, Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai argued that Bharti had not used any casteist slur or made comments against any caste or community. He submitted that the remarks were made in response to what he described as a “grave provocation”, a comment concerning Bharti’s sister. He also argued that Bharti’s references to Ambedkar were made with respect and that the ingredients of the SC/ST Act were not attracted.

The prosecution, however, submitted that a prima facie offence was made out against Bharti. Counsel for the complainant argued that the commentary was not merely abusive towards the complainant but was directed against the community as a whole. The Court ultimately rejected Bharti’s plea.