The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed a criminal case filed by the police against two individuals accused of shouting "Jai Shri Ram" slogans inside a mosque. 

During hearing the accused's appeal petition, the single division bench led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna stated in its ruling that it was beyond comprehension how the chanting of "Jai Shri Ram" would offend any community's religious sentiments. The accused were charged with chanting "Jai Shri Ram" in a mosque, in violation of IPC Section 295A.

They were also charged under Sections 447 (criminal trespass), 505 (statements that encourage public mischief), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (common intention), and 295A (outraging religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complainant in the case had stated that Muslims and Hindus coexisted peacefully in the area in question, the bench noted.

The bench emphasised that allowing additional proceedings against the petitioners would constitute an abuse of the legal process. The bench stated that any act will not be considered an offence under Section 295A of the IPC, citing the Supreme Court's ruling. According to the police, the accused entered the mosque on September 24, 2023, at around 10.50 p.m., and chanted "Jai Shri Ram". In addition, they were also charged with threatening.

The accused were listed as unknown when the complaint was filed. Later on, they were arrested. The accused, however, appealed the accusations against them to the Karnataka High Court, which dismissed the case against them. The bench further observed that the complainant asserted that chanting "Jai Shri Ram" slogans would incite communal tension and that Muslims and Hindus coexisted peacefully in the area.