Anticipatory bail to two kathavachak

Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court has granted anticipatory bail application to two kathavachaks (religious narrators) Sant Singh Yadav and Mukat Singh Yadav of Etawah district.An FIR was registered in Etawah against them under Section 299 (acts committed with intent to insult religious beliefs), and Section 318(4) of the BNS (cheating), on charges of misleading people during religious events and concealing their caste identity through forged documentation.Justice Vivek Varma allowed the anticipatory bail.According to the applicants' counsel, an FIR was lodged against some persons who had allegedly assaulted the two narrators (applicants) and held them captive for narrating religious teachings in spite of the fact that they were not from upper caste.The court in its order dated July 29, after hearing parties concerned, allowed the application while observing, "Having regard to the submissions made, considering the nature of accusations and antecedents of the applicant, in particular the fact that earlier the applicant lodged a first information report against the informant; further, the essential ingredients to constitute the alleged offences are not made out against the applicant; at this stage, there is no substantive evidence to link the applicant with the offence; without commenting on merits of the case, I am of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to be enlarged on anticipatory bail."Now, in case of arrest, the applicants will be released on bail.