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Amazon Prime Video's India head Aparna Purohit, who is facing a criminal case for allegedly depicting Hindu gods in a bad light in the web series 'Tandav', has been granted anticipatory bail from the Allahabad High Court at Lucknow. 

The bench of Justice Krishan Pahal passed the order on Monday on the application filed by Purohit seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the case registered against her under Sections 153-A, 295, 505(1)(b), 505(2), 469 of Indian Penal Code & Sections 66, 66-F & 67 of Information Technology Act, 2008 at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow.

As per the prosecution story, Purohit, who is the Commercial Head of Amazon Prime Video, is said to have purchased the rights of the web series "Taandav", in which allegedly, certain actors in some scenes portray 'God' in a very derogatory manner which hurts the sentiments of the public at large.

Senior Advocate Jaideep Narayan Mathur, appearing on behalf of Purohit had contended that she did not intend to hurt anyone's sentiment and the concerned entire episode of the web series is based on coincidental.

He also told the court that there is no criminal history of Purohit and there is no possibility of her to flee from justice, and, therefore, she is entitled for interim protection from this Court.

Thereafter, considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, Court opined that Purohit deserved to be granted pre-arrest bail in connection with the instant case. 

Last month, the Court of Special Chief Judicial Magistrate (Custom) Lucknow had granted permission to Purohit to travel abroad on account of her parent's illness. The high court had asked her to not leave the country without the permission of a competent court during the pendency of the instant anticipatory bail plea. 

Case Title: Aparna Purohit v. State of U.P. and Another