Alleged Remarks Against UP CM | Allahabad HC Refuses To Quash FIR Against Samajwadi Party Leader Anurag Bhadouria

The Allahabad High Court today refused to quash an FIR registered against Samajwadi Party Leader Anurag Bhadouria for allegedly making insulting and objectionable remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and late Mahant Avaidyanath during a TV Debate show.

The bench of Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Renu Agarwal rejected his plea seeking the quashing of his FIR and a stay on coercive action against him while noting that it was apparent that he had made derogatory and disrespectful comments on the TV channel.

It may be noted that the FIR against Bhadouria was lodged by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson Hero Bajpai alleging that Bhadouria made insulting remarks against the UP CM and his spiritual guru repeatedly even after being pointed out by the anchor not to make such statements.

The FIR, a copy of which has been accessed by Live Law, also states that Bhadouria's remarks had hurt the sentiments of Hindus and those who have faith in the Gorakhnath Math.

In its order, the bench noted that from the perusal of the F.I.R., prima facie, it cannot be said that no cognizable offence is made out, hence, the Court concluded that no ground existed for quashing of the F.I.R. or staying the arrest of the petitioner.

"...it is apparent that the petitioner had made derogatory and disrespectful comments on the T.V. channels ABP Ganga while being present in the debate organized by the said T.V. channel of the political parties and when the petitioner made such comments, the same was objected by the T.V. anchor and as repeated comments, his voice was muted. Moreover, from the allegations made in the F.I.R. as a subject matter of investigation and at this stage it cannot be said that no offence, whatsoever is made out against the petitioner," the bench remarked.

Senior Advocate Sudeep Seth along with Advocate Devendra Upadhyay appeared for the petitioner.

Case title - Anurag Singh Bhadouriya (in FIR Anurag Bhadouriya) v. State Of UP. Thru Addl. Chief Secy/Prin. Secy. Home Civil Secrett Lko and Others

Case Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (AB) 495

Click Here To Read/Download Order