Social media influencer Shadab Jakati was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday following widespread outrage over a viral video in which he allegedly made objectionable remarks while interacting with a minor and women. Jakati was subsequently released on bail after being produced before a court.
The footage, which circulated widely online, sparked massive public condemnation and prompted authorities to intervene.
The Case and Charges Filed
According to Incholi police station SHO Jitendra Kumar Tripathi, a case was formally registered against Jakati based on a complaint filed by a local resident named Anees.
Jakati was booked under two specific sections:
- Section 296 (Obscene Acts) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, which pertains to publishing or transmitting obscene material online.
The complaint alleges that the influencer was heard making indecent comments during the widely circulated interaction that involved a minor girl and women.
Defense and Release on Bail
Following his arrest, Jakati was produced before a court. His lawyer, Syed Mohammad Zamir, argued for his defense, stating that the people in the video were Jakati’s own family members: the minor girl was his daughter, and the woman was his wife. Zamir contended that the footage did not contain anything that threatened public order or constituted an objectionable act.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted bail to Shadab Jakati.
Influencer Issues Apology
Upon securing bail, Jakati addressed the media, expressing regret for the controversy and apologizing to anyone who felt offended by the content. He asserted that he had no harmful intent when recording the video and confirmed that he has since taken down the controversial clip from all his social media accounts.