Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 26: Mohammed Mujeeb, a software engineer working here, who had given call through the social media to make efforts to extensively spread coronavirus by sneezing in the public, and who was arrested for this offence, was denied bail by the state high court.

A high court bench chaired by Justice K S Mudgal, which heard the bail plea filed by Mujeeb, refused to grant bail, and quashed the application.

Mohammed Mujeeb

The high court observed that the applicant, who is working as a software engineer in a prestigious company, is expected to be aware of the after effects of his actions. The content of the posts he made in social sites, being an educated man having a good employment, are likely to harm the country's harmony, integrity, brotherhood and unity. This is an attempt to create panic among the people at a time when the entire world is facing a critical situation due to coronavirus, the bench observed.

As per the investigation papers, the applicant had earlier spent some years in Bahrain and Kuwait. He had developed religious fundamentalism and anti-national ideals. It is learnt that he had shared WhatsApp number of Pakistan to keep abreast with Islamic information. National Investigation Agency too has been investigating his connections and it is in progress. Therefore, the high court said, granting of bail under these circumstances is impossible.

Mujeeb, through Facebook, had called upon people of his community to go out and join hands with one another by sneezing in the public to spread the virus. He had also asked in his post to make sure that this information is spread to everyone towards ending the world. He also had mentioned that his stun gun is ready to kill the dogs.

A local, Mahesh Mallayyanava, had filed complaint with the Electronics City police station. Mujeeb was arrested on March 9. The court where he was produced had refused bail application and remanded him to judicial custody.