Prophet Remarks Row : Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Plea Seeking Arrest Of Former BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma

The Supreme Court, on Friday, refused to entertain a petition filed by a lawyer seeking to arrest former BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her alleged hate statement against the revered Prophet Mohammad on a television debate. The matter was heard by bench comprising Chief Justice U.U. Lalit, Justice Ravindra Bhat and Justice P.S. Narasimha. 

When the bench expressed disinclination to entertain the plea under Article 32 seeking arrest, the counsel appearing for the petitioner highlighted the alternate prayer which seeks implementation of the directions in the Tehseen Ponnawalla judgment in relation to control of mob lynching.

CJI Lalit stated–

"...This may sound simple and innocuous but it has far reaching consequences. The court should circumspect while issuing directions. We would suggest you to withdraw."

Accordingly, the matter was withdrawn and dismissed as such. 

The petition filed by Advocate Abu Sohel through Advocate Chand Qureshi sought directions for 'independent, credible and impartial investigation' into the incident. The Supreme Court had earlier transferred to Delhi Police all FIRs registered against (and which may be registered in future) Nupur Sharma in different parts of the country over her remarks on Prophet Mohammed on the channel debate aired by "Times Now" on May 26.

Case Title: Abu Sohel v Nupur Sharma| Diary No 18477 of 2022

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