Bhopal: A Mumbai-based standup comedian, along with four other event organisers, was apprehended for allegedly insulting religious beliefs and also Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a New Year show in Indore.
Munawar Faruqui, the comedian, was arrested on Friday for his performance at a cafe in the popular 56 Dukan locality of Indore. The others arrested include Indore-based Prakhar Vyas, Priyam Vyas, Nalin Yadav, and event coordinator Edwin Anthony.
The arrested men have been booked under IPC sections 188, 269, 34 and 295A for organising the event sans permission, flouting COVID-19 safety norms, and hurting religious sentiments.
The incident came to light when a group of Hindutva activists attended the event. Later the supporters of the right-wing extremists halted the event when the artiste made the allegedly unwelcome references.
The case was filed based on a complaint by Eklavya Gaur, convenor of the Hind Rakshak Sangathan and son of BJP MLA Malini Gaur.