New Delhi, Sep 2: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to Indore cartoonist Hemant Malviya with conditions. However, the court has directed Malviya to cooperate in the police investigation. The court directed that the bail can be cancelled if he does not cooperate in the investigation. Malviya is accused of making a controversial cartoon of Prime Minister Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and making it viral on social media.
Earlier on August 23, on the instructions of the Supreme Court, Malviya had also apologized on social media. After this, while hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail.
PM was shown giving injection
According to the FIR, Malviya’s cartoon showed a man wearing RSS uniform with his shirt off and injecting PM Modi. Vinay Joshi of Indore had complained to the police after his sentiments were hurt by the cartoon. The post also allegedly contained comments related to Lord Shiva, which the High Court found offensive.
The court asked to write an apology within ten days
The matter was heard in the Supreme Court. Malviya told the court that he would publish an apology on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms for making indecent caricatures of the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This hearing took place on August 19. On this, the Supreme Court directed to publish the apology within ten days.
Malviya apologized on social media
On August 25, Malviya wrote on social media, “As per the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, I deeply regret my Facebook post published on 1.05.2025. I respectfully state to the Hon’ble Supreme Court that I had absolutely no intention or purpose to hurt the sentiments of any community, caste, religion, incite tension or deliberately insult any party or person through any cartoon or post.
I had no intention of disrespecting any public figure, organization or community through any of my Facebook posts. I deeply regret this unintentional act. I apologize wholeheartedly and sincerely again and again.
I believe and will always keep in mind that it is also my responsibility to ensure brotherhood and social harmony and I will take full care of this in the future.