Supreme Court Upholds FIR Against UP Congress Leader for Controversial Remarks
The Supreme Court recently declined to set aside an FIR lodged against Sachin Chaudhary, the Secretary of UP Youth Congress, over his contentious comment implying a “love affair” between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani, the founder and chairman of the Adani Group.
The bench, consisting of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M. Trivedi, evaluated Chaudhary’s argument. He contended that even if the allegations in the FIR were accepted as true, they wouldn’t amount to an offence under Section 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups) of the IPC. Addressing this, the justices observed,
“This argument of the petitioner has been summarized in the order of the High Court, in which the quashing plea of the petitioner has been rejected. The law enforcement agency is still investigating the alleged commission of offences, and they ought to decide on a future course of action after the completion of an investigation. At this stage, we do not think it is a fit case for interference.”
Chaudhary’s appeal to the Supreme Court was in response to the judgment of the Allahabad High Court, which had earlier declined to quash the FIR. The High Court had noted that the allegations in the FIR squarely fit within the scope of Section 153-A and Section 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred, or ill-will between classes) of the IPC. These are cognizable offences, and as a result, the FIR could not be dismissed.
Background of the Case: The FIR against Chaudhary was initiated by Akshit Agarwal, a youth wing leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Agarwal alleged that during a press conference in Sambhal, Chaudhary used derogatory language against the Prime Minister, suggesting a romantic or homosexual relationship with Gautam Adani. The FIR, filed under Sections 153-A, 505(2), and 504 IPC (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), further mentioned that the Prime Minister is revered like a deity by Agarwal and many BJP associates. Chaudhary’s remarks, as per the FIR, deeply hurt the sentiments of BJP members, Hindu organizations, and several other religious groups.