The Supreme Court Today (Nov 12) dismissed AAP leader Somnath Bharti’s plea seeking the transfer of a case filed against him for allegedly making derogatory remarks on the condition of hospitals and schools in the state. The case against Bharti is pending before the court of the additional chief judicial magistrate of Sultanpur. He moved the top court seeking the transfer of the case to the Rouse Avenue Courts here.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti, who sought the transfer of a case filed against him to a different court. The case in question involves Bharti allegedly making “derogatory remarks” about the conditions of hospitals and schools in Uttar Pradesh.
Bharti had requested that his case, currently under the jurisdiction of the additional chief judicial magistrate in Sultanpur, be transferred to the Rouse Avenue Courts in New Delhi.
In this decision, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar denied Bharti’s request for a transfer. However, the bench allowed him the option to
“request the trial court for appearing through video conferencing,”
should he find it challenging to attend proceedings in person.
The case against Bharti initially garnered attention when, on July 3 of the previous year, the Supreme Court temporarily stayed the proceedings against him in the Sultanpur court. This stay was issued pending a review of Bharti’s transfer request.
Subsequently, on April 10, the Supreme Court further intervened by-
“issuing a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and enacting an interim stay on the proceedings”
in response to Bharti’s plea to move the case.
Bharti is currently facing two separate cases in Uttar Pradesh, registered in Rae Bareli and Amethi districts, both pertaining to his alleged remarks. Bharti claims that the cases against him were filed out of “political vengeance,” implying that they may have been motivated by opposition to his political views.
The controversy around Bharti’s statements began during a press interaction in Amethi district on January 10, 2021, where he allegedly made the “derogatory remarks” about state healthcare and educational facilities. Following his comments, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him at the Jagdishpur police station in Amethi by Somnath Sahu, a local resident.
Bharti continues to challenge the cases, asserting that his remarks were taken out of context or exaggerated for political purposes.
However, with the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, Bharti must now either prepare for trial in Sultanpur or seek permission for virtual attendance, a procedural accommodation provided by the court.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on AAP Leader Somnath Bharti
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