The Supreme Court reserved its order on Friday on a petition filed by Times Now anchor Navika Kumar, seeking clubbing of all FIRs and complaints registered against her over the remarks made by suspended BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Muhammed, during a programme on Times Now channel.
Appearing for Kumar before the Bench of Justice M.R. Shah and Justice Krishna Murari, Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul contended that a similar relief had been granted to Nupur Sharma. The FIR against Navika had the same set of accused as Nupur, including Sharma. He added that if they again take coercive measures, the petitioner will have to rush here again.
The Senior Advocate placed reliance on the order passed by the Apex Court on August 10, transferring all FIRs against Sharma to Delhi. He pointed out that the relief was extended with respect to future FIRs as well.
The Bench, however, remained unsatisfied. Justice Shah said that the relief granted to Sharma was in the peculiar facts and circumstances of that case, considering the threat perception. He added that such an order for future FIRs might set a precedent for other matters as well.
The Bench told Kaul to seek relief from this court, in case other FIRs were filed against his client.
Appearing for the Central government, along with the governments of NCT of Delhi, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta submitted that the bench may add the phrase ‘with respect to this telecast’ in the case.
When SG Mehta mentioned the order passed in the case of another mediaperson Arnab Goswami regarding the multiple FIRs, the Bench replied that in Goswami’s case, subsequent FIRs were quashed, while the first one was sustained.
Representing the government of West Bengal, Advocate Ravinder Singh nstated that all FIRs were not on record and he would place all such material on record.
The Apex Court had granted interim protection to Navika on August 8 and also issued notice in the case.
Case Title: Navika Kumar vs UOI