Lucknow: Journalist Prashant Kanojia was released from a jail here on Wednesday, four days after his arrest for allegedly making objectionable comments against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on social media.
He was freed on bail on the Supreme Court's directive on Tuesday to release him immediately.
Kanojia stepped out of Lucknow jail wearing a T-shirt with "deshbhakt" (patriot) written on it. When approached by PTI, his wife Jigisha Arora said, "We will not like to talk today, will speak tomorrow."
Kanojia, who spent four nights behind the bars, was allowed bail after furnishing two sureties of Rs 20,000 each and a personal bond for the same amount.
The release order was sent to Lucknow jail earlier in the day by the Chief Judicial Magistrate here.
While issuing the order, the CJM directed him not to repeat the offence, influence witnesses or extend a threat to any witness while on bail.
Earlier, a certified copy of the Supreme Court order directing his release was filed at the CJM's court.
Outside the CJM's court, Jigisha Arora said she was satisfied with the Supreme Court order.
"I have to say only one thing that whatever order has come from the Supreme Court, I am very happy and satisfied. My trust on the Constitution is intact. I don't want to say anything else," she said.
The Supreme Court had Tuesday granted bail to Kanojia with a vacation bench, comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and Ajay Rastogi, observing that the Right to Liberty, a fundamental right, is non-negotiable.
The apex court had slammed the UP government for the "excessiveness" of its action, asking, "Is this a case of murder?"
Asserting that the fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution cannot be infringed upon by the State, the apex court said it was not inclined to sit back on technical grounds to deny justice.
The Supreme Court, however, said proceedings against the journalist will go on as per law.
The bench gave the order while hearing a habeas corpus petition -- a writ for producing a person who is under arrest or in unlawful detention - filed by Kanojia's wife.