Pune : Session Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Two Students Booked Over Dance Performance Linked to Maoist Leader
Pune, 15th June 2026: A sessions court in Pune has granted anticipatory bail to two students who were booked by the Vishrantwadi police for performing a dance to a song available on YouTube during a cultural programme, allegedly linked to a Maoist leader.
Additional Sessions Judge D R Shetty granted pre-arrest bail to the students subject to conditions, observing that they should cooperate with the investigation and not interfere with the probe.
The case stems from a cultural event held in the Vishrantwadi area, where the two students performed a dance to a song available on YouTube. Police alleged that the song was based on the life of Maoist leader Hidma Madvi and claimed that its performance could pose a threat to national security.
Based on a complaint filed by police constable Shabbir Shaikh, the Vishrantwadi police registered an FIR against the students under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Apprehending arrest, the students approached the sessions court seeking anticipatory bail. Appearing for the applicants, advocates Abhishek Randhave, Shwetal Vahane and Shreyas Bapte argued that the students had no intention of spreading anti-national messages or undermining national security.
The defence submitted that the applicants were students and had merely performed a dance to a song that was publicly available on YouTube. It argued that the performance was inadvertent and could not be construed as part of any criminal conspiracy. The lawyers further pointed out that the investigating officer had already complied with the provisions relating to issuance of notice under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and that custodial interrogation of the students was not required.
The advocates represented the students on a pro bono basis, citing their educational future and financial circumstances, and fought the case without charging any legal fees.
After hearing both sides, the court accepted the defence’s contention regarding the absence of any malicious intent and granted anticipatory bail to the students with conditions.
