Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing of Hate Speech FIR Petition Against BJP Leaders
The Supreme Court has decided to adjourn the hearing of a petition filed by CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, which seeks the registration of FIRs against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma for alleged hate speeches during the 2020 Delhi state election campaign. The petition was adjourned following a letter circulated to postpone the hearing.
The apex court had previously issued notice to the Delhi police, asking for their response within three weeks. During the hearing, the court orally observed that the Magistrate’s stance, which stated that a sanction was required for filing FIRs against the two BJP leaders, may not be correct prima facie.
The plea was jointly filed by Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders Brinda Karat and KM Tiwari, challenging the June 2022 order of the Delhi High Court. The High Court had dismissed the plea, stating that under the law, a sanction is required from the competent authority to register an FIR in the present scenario. The Delhi police had conducted a preliminary inquiry and informed the trial court that no cognizable offense was made out prima facie. The High Court mentioned that the trial court needed to consider the facts and evidence before ordering any investigation, which can only be initiated with a valid sanction.
During the 2020 Delhi assembly election campaign, when protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) were taking place, both Thakur and Verma allegedly made hate speeches.
Stay tuned for further updates on this case, as the Supreme Court will reconvene to continue the hearing at a later date.
Key Highlights:
– Supreme Court adjourns hearing of hate speech FIR petition against BJP leaders
– CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat seeks registration of FIRs against Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma
– Delhi High Court dismissed plea challenging trial court’s refusal to direct FIR registration
– High Court states a valid sanction is required for FIR registration in the present scenario
– BJP leaders allegedly made hate speeches during the 2020 Delhi assembly election campaign.
