Pro-Pakistan social media posts do not constitute treason, rules India’s Allahabad High Court

In a significant ruling, India’s Allahabad High Court has declared that expressing support for Pakistan on social media does not amount to treason.

The court made the observation while granting bail to a man accused of posting pro-Pakistan content online, stating that although such posts might incite anger or discord, they do not fall under the legal definition of sedition or acts threatening national sovereignty.

In its decision issued on September 26, the court granted bail to Sajid Chaudhry, a resident of Meerut, who had been arrested in May for posting “Proud of Kamran Bhatti, Pakistan Zindabad.”

Chaudhry had been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—a provision dealing with threats to India’s sovereignty—and had remained in jail since May 13.

His lawyer argued that Sajid neither authored nor created the post but merely forwarded it, without any intent to spread hatred or disturb public order.

The defense further noted that Sajid had no prior criminal record and posed no risk if released on bail.

The prosecution, however, described Sajid as a “separatist,” claiming he had engaged in similar activities previously.

After hearing both sides, the Allahabad High Court ordered Sajid Chaudhry’s release and dismissed the sedition-related charges, ruling that his online post did not constitute a crime against the state.