New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (January 27) refused to examine pleas seeking registration of First Information Report (FIR) against Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over his his “eradicate Sanatan Dharma” remark.
Three pleas came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Prasanna B Varale.
What did the bench ask petitioners?
The petitioners’ counsel sought permission from the bench to withdraw the plea with liberty to pursue an appropriate remedy after the bench asked how petitions filed under Article 32 of the Constitution could be maintained, news agency PTI reported.
The top court had in September 2023 agreed to hear one of the petitions seeking registration of an FIR against the Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and others over his “eradicate Sanatan Dharma” remark.
Udhayanidhi’s ‘eradicate Sanatana Dharma’ remarks led to registration of several FIRs against him
Udhayanidhi, who is the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and ruling DMK chief M K Stalin, allegedly made the controversial “eradicate Sanatana Dharma” remarks at a conference, leading to widespread outrage and registration of multiple FIRs against him in various parts of the country. Several pleas were also filed before various courts, including several high courts and the apex court, for registration of criminal case against him for his controversial remarks.
Udhayanidhi has also moved the top court seeking clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against him
Udhayanidhi has also moved the top court seeking clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against him in various parts of country over his purported “eradicate Sanatan Dharma” remark. His plea seeking clubbing of FIR is currently pending before the top court.
The top court, while earlier hearing Udhayanidhi’s plea seeking clubbing of FIRs, had rebuked him over his “eradicate Sanatana Dharma” remarks, asking him why he had moved the court seeking clubbing of the FIRs against him after abusing his right to freedom of speech and expression.
