Tirunelveli court grants bail to cartoonist Bala

He was arrested on Sunday for obscene and inappropriate depiction of the district administration and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy

Tirunelveli District Court granted bail to G Balakrishnan (36) alias Bala, a well-known cartoonist in Tirunelveli, on Monday.

He was arrested on Sunday for the obscene and inappropriate depiction of the district administration and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy, in a cartoon on the self-immolation of a family of four at the collectorate on October 23.

After the release, Bala said, "I did not commit a murder, no regrets. Will continue to highlight inefficiency of govt through my cartoon. I will continue, won't stop."

In the cartoon dated October 24, he criticised Tirunelveli police commissioner, district collector, and the Chief Minister, holding them responsible for the death of an entire family, who self-immolated before the Tirunelveli collectorate.

The cartoon shows a burning child lying on the ground, evidently immolating, while the Tirunelveli police commissioner, the collector and the Chief Minister gathered around the child, with their eyes downcast, covering their nudity with cash bundles. The cartoon attracted more than 38,000 shares and was viewed by a few lakh people.

The cartoon attracted more than 38,000 shares and was viewed by a few lakh people. Police said he was arrested under Section 67 in the Information Technology Act (Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) and Section 501 of the Indian Penal Code (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory).

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