Actress Payal Rohatgi denied bail, to be in jail till 24 December

Model and actress Payal Rohatgi was arrested for making an objectionable video on activist and politician Motilal Nehru was sent to eight-day judicial custody.

On December 5, a notice was sent to the actress for allegedly posting an objectionable video related to former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Lokendra Paliwal, Investigating Officer, Sadar Police Station told ANI, “Rajasthan Youth Congress general secretary Charmesh Sharma has filed a complaint stating Payal Rohtagi has posted an objectionable video about JL Nehru, Indira Gandhi on Facebook on September 1. During the investigation, our team reached her residence in Mumbai. Later, we met Rohtagi at her parent’s home in Gujarat. We have given her the notice to file a reply in the case.”

Rajasthan: Model & actress Payal Rohatgi who was arrested by Police over her comment on former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, has been sent to eight day judicial custody by a local court in Bundi pic.twitter.com/6bFm2onRvG

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2019

The complaint was filed by Charmesh Sharma in October at Bundi Sadar police station followed by which the police registered the case under 66 and 67 of the IT Act. In his complaint, Sharma alleged that Rohatgi posted “obnoxious and controversial” content against the Nehru-Gandhi family on social media accounts on September 6 and September 21 in 2019.

The model turned actress on Sunday took to her Twitter, shortly before she was detained, she said: “I am arrested by @PoliceRajasthan for making a video on #MotilalNehru which I made from taking information from @google Freedom of Speech is a joke @PMOIndia @HMOIndia”.

Payal Rohatgi’s partner Sangram Singh took to his Twitter handle to request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the matter.”This is freedom of Speech in Congress Ruling state, @HMOIndia @PMOIndia @narendramodi Sir. Please have a look this matter?”

This is freedom of Speech in Congress Ruling state, @HMOIndia @PMOIndia @narendramodi Sir. Please have a look this matter? https://t.co/t9zwiuTu7w

— SANGRAM U SINGH (@Sangram_Sanjeet) December 15, 2019

Celebrities and socialites have taken to Twitter to express their opinion over the arrest. Tehseen Poonawalla wrote, “I repeat once again , the statements of @Payal_Rohatgi were false & silly but we must not detain her. She has a right to her freedom of speech . As liberals we need to uphold that. That is what makes us liberals . Pls release @Payal_Rohatgi asap!!”

As a liberal and as someone who is a huge Nehru fan , I know PM Nehru would NOT approve of this . This is absurd . I dislike @Payal_Rohatgi 's opinions and do think she needs to be condemned but this is uncalled for . I hope she can somehow be set free. https://t.co/AVN5oGqiNC

— Tehseen Poonawalla Official (@tehseenp) December 16, 2019

Whereas Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also wrote, “There’s little doubt that the comments of @Payal_Rohatgi were tasteless &false, typical Sanghi drivel circulated on @whatsapp. But to arrest her is unwise: upholding freedom of expression means allowing her to say stupid things w’out police getting involved. She shd be released.”

There’s little doubt that the comments of @Payal_Rohatgi were tasteless &false, typical Sanghi drivel circulated on @whatsapp. But to arrest her is unwise: upholding freedom of expression means allowing her to say stupid things w’out police getting involved. She shd be released.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 15, 2019