No strict action against Nagpur resident for tweeting against the State Government and its functioning in the Sushant Singh Rajput case [READ PETITION]

Sameer Thakkar, a resident of Nagpur, was recently booked under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 for tweeting against the state government and its functioning in the Sushant Singh Rajput case. He had previously filed a PIL at Bombay HCseeking directions for a CBI probe in the Sushant Rajput suicide matter which was eventually disposed of as the matter was already before the SC for hearing at the time.

The Criminal Writ petitionfiled by Sameer Thakkaralleges that the FIR against him has been filed by a Shiv Sena worker and is an obstruction to the citizens’‘Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression’. He also stated that due to the said FIR, police had been constantly coming to his house and harassing him and his family. 

The petition claimed, "The present FIR is a part of multifarious FIR's and complaints lodged by the Shiv Sena Party members and supporters in different jurisdictions, relating to some tweets tweeted by the petitioner, completely based on facts regarding the functioning of the Maharashtra Government and its leaders. It is submitted that the present FIR is a part of a well-planned, vindictive, and malicious campaign launched by the Shiv Sena Party and its members just to muzzle and harass the petitioner for speaking the truth about the functioning of the government in Maharashtra and its leaders, particularly the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his son, for their response and silence on vital issues."

The court, after observing the facts of the case issued a final disposal notice to the Respondent and noted that “ Shri AS Fulzele, learned APP waives notice for respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Meanwhile, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner through investigation may proceed, and if completed, charge sheet shall not be filed. Stands over two weeks.”

[READ PETITION]