The Jharkhand High Court has rejected a second plea by a convict, serving life imprisonment for offences including murder and a sexual offence against a child, seeking suspension of his sentence on the ground that he had completed over ten years in custody. The Court held that period of incarceration alone cannot justify suspension of a life sentence for a serious offence, that merit must also be assessed, and that a rejected plea cannot be renewed without a fresh ground.
The Delhi High Court has stayed a POCSO court’s order directing an FIR against a group of police officers, and framed a question for detailed hearing: where a Special Judge under a special statute finds no offence under that statute is prima facie made out, should the application under Section 175(3) BNSS be transmitted to the jurisdictional Magistrate rather than decided by the Special Judge? The competing factual accounts are untested; the Court expressed no view on the merits.
A Delhi court has directed registration of an FIR against a user of X over a series of posts alleged to be derogatory to Hindu religious beliefs, historical figures and the Prime Minister. Notably, the cyber police had reported the posts to be largely political and historical commentary, criticism and satire, with no evidence of deliberate incitement. The court ordered an FIR under Section 175(3) BNSS to allow investigation, expressing no opinion on the merits.
Today, On 28th March, The Supreme Court ruled that the notion of art or stand-up comedy inciting hatred could severely restrict free speech. The court emphasized that literature, poetry, drama, films, satire, and stage performances enrich human life. It highlighted the importance of artistic expression in a democratic society. The verdict reinforces the constitutional protection of creative freedom in India.
NEW DELHI: Today, 24th Feb, Famous stand-up comedian and Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui is facing legal issues over his new show, Hafta Vasooli, streamed on Jio Hotstar. A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a complaint against him, accusing him of insulting religion and promoting obscenity. The complaint was officially submitted on February 22.