Watching terror videos, reading jehadi literature don’t make a terrorist: Kerala HC

Watching terror videos and reading jehadi literature do not make someone a terrorist, the Kerala High Court has ruled while granting bail to a Muslim man, who was accused of involvement in terror activities by his estranged Hindu wife, who had converted to Islam.

A division bench of justices AM Shaffique and P Somarajan made the observation recently while considering an appeal filed by Muhammed Riyas, challenging an NIA court order denying him bail.

In his appeal, Riyas had contended that he was not part of any terror organisation. It was only on account of a matrimonial dispute or under the influence of someone else that his wife had levelled such charges against him, the appellant had submitted.

Observing that the appellant was detained on the ground that he might have been involved in terrorist activities, the bench said, “The fact that he has seen certain videos and speeches...Will not be a reason to implicate him as a terrorist unless there are other materials to establish the same.”

Noting that many such videos, speeches etc. Were in the public domain, the bench said, “Merely for the reason that one sees such matters, it may not be possible for any person to establish that the accused is involved in terrorism.”

“In the absence of any such materials forthcoming, even as on date, after the expiry of 70 days of imprisonment, we are of the view that this is a fit case in which this court should exercise jurisdiction to grant bail,” it added.