Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench has issued notices to police and the Maharashtra Home Department over alleged derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi. The Court has sought replies and directed submission of audio evidence, with the matter listed after March 30.
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has stepped in to examine a serious issue involving alleged derogatory remarks made about Mahatma Gandhi. The Court has asked the Maharashtra Home Department and Nagpur City Police to respond officially in the matter.
A division bench of Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta issued notices to multiple parties, including the State Home Department, the Nagpur Police Commissioner, senior journalist Pushpendra Kulshrestha, and event organiser Nishant Gandhi. The Court has directed all respondents to file their replies by March 30.
The case comes from a petition filed by Ashwin Bais, a local Congress functionary, through Advocate Akash Moon. The petition is related to an event organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj Sammelan on February 15 in Nagpur.
According to the petitioner, senior journalist Pushpendra Kulshrestha made “highly objectionable” remarks about Mahatma Gandhi during his speech at the event. The plea specifically points out that Kulshrestha stated that Gandhi cannot be called the “Father of the Nation.”
The petitioner approached the High Court seeking directions to the Sitabardi police in Nagpur to take action on his complaint. The complaint names both Kulshrestha, for making the statements, and Nishant Gandhi, as the organiser of the event, holding them responsible for the alleged remarks.
The petition argues that such statements are derogatory in nature and should be examined under laws dealing with disrespect or defamation of national figures. It urges the authorities to take proper legal action after investigation.
During the hearing, the High Court stressed the importance of proper evidence before taking any action. The bench instructed the petitioner to provide the audio recording of the speech to the police so that they can verify the allegations. The Court also directed that the same audio clip be submitted before it for record purposes.
The matter will now be taken up after March 30, once all respondents file their replies and the Court reviews the evidence placed on record.
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