In Brief
A monthly business magazine published a painting of a cricketer with a caption "God of Big Deals", prompting a complaint under Section 295A IPC (insulting religion). The Supreme Court quashed the complaint, holding that Section 295A requires deliberate and malicious intent to outrage religious feelings—not merely an insult. The magazine caption, analyzed in full context, lacked the essential ingredients of the offence. The Court extended the benefit of quashment to the co-accused (the editor) to prevent abuse of process, and cautioned magistrates to carefully scrutinize complaints before issuing summons.
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