Journalist Amish Devgan's Plea Seeking Quashing Of Multiple FIRs Against Him For Allegedly Insulting Sufi Saint: SC To Hear Tomorrow

Following a series of police complaints and FIRs against News 18 India's managing editor, Amish Devgan over his comment on renowned Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, a plea seeking stay and quashing of all FIRs lodged against him has been preferred in the Supreme Court.

Top Court shall hear the plea by a vacation bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari tomorrow.

While hosting a debate on June 15 on PIL's regarding the Place of Worship Special Provision Act on his show 'Aar Par', Amish had called Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi, better known as Khwaja Ghreeb Nawaz, an "attacker" and "looter".

Following that, several police complaints and FIRs were registered against the anchor across the country.

The plea has been filed on behalf of Advocate Vivek Jain and seeks quashing of the FIRs which have invoked sections 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Devgan had also profusely apologised for referring to the Sufi Saint as a "lootera" and called it an "inadvertent error".

His tweet read: 

In 1 of my debates,I inadvertently referred to 'Khilji' as Chishti. I sincerely apologise for this grave error and the anguish it may hv caused to followers of the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, whom I revere. I have in the past sought blessings at his dargah.I regret this error.

On June 17, he also apologised for his comments on air.

"I have full faith in Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti," said Devgan, in the apology which aired on Wednesday afternoon. "I myself go to Ajmer Sharif for his ziyarat and if my statement has hurt anyone, then I regret it" he stated.

In addition to police complaints and FIRs, several Muslim organisations have also condemned the anchor's remarks. 

The Darul Uloom Deoban, also issued a press statement condemning the anchor's choice of words and demanded legal action against Devgan.

Further to this, a group of Muslim lawyers from Mumbai had also approached the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) demanding an enquiry against the anchor and temporary suspension of the channel.