Thu Mar 13 09:25:13 UTC 2025: ## High Court Clears Singer Kailash Kher of Outraging Religious Sentiments

**Mumbai, March 13, 2025** – The Bombay High Court has dismissed a complaint against singer Kailash Kher, ruling that his song “Babam Bam,” dedicated to Lord Shiva, did not deliberately or maliciously intend to hurt religious sentiments. The court quashed a 2014 complaint filed by a Shiva worshipper, Narinder Makkar, who alleged the song’s accompanying video, featuring scantily clad dancers, was vulgar and offensive.

The High Court cited author A.G. Noorani in its decision, stating that intolerance of dissent has plagued Indian society for centuries, and that a free society values the right to dissent. The justices noted that merely disliking a creative work doesn’t equate to outraging religious feelings. They emphasized that to be found guilty under IPC sections 295A and 298, a deliberate and malicious intent must be proven. Since Kher, according to the court, only sang the song and had no control over the video’s choreography, no such intent could be established.

The court also pointed out that the video had received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification. Kher, represented by advocate Ashok Sarogi, had sought the High Court’s intervention since the initial complaint was lodged in a Ludhiana court in Punjab. The High Court had previously issued an interim order preventing coercive action against the singer. The full order, dated March 4, was made public on Thursday.

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