38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 31, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Chhattisgarh High Court quashes FIRs registered against BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Sambit Patra and Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga

By Shreyas Nair      15 April, 2021 03:18 PM      0 Comments
Chhattisgarh High Court quashes FIRs registered against BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Sambit Patra and Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga

An FIRs against Sambit Patra was registered after a complaint was filed against him for making negative remarks against the Congress Party and its leaders in a tweet.               

Bagga was charged for making defamatory statements on Twitter about former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi. 

Patra was charged in two separate FIRs, one under IPC Sections 499 (Defamation) 500 (Punishment for Defamation, 501(Printing or engraving matter is known to be defamatory), and 505(1) (Statements conducing to public mischief) and the other under IPC Sections 298 (Uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), 153A(Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riotif rioting is committedif not committed.) and 505(2). 

Bagga was also charged under Sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Sec 66 (Computer-related offences that are If any person, dishonestly or fraudulently, does any act referred to in section 43, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both).

The investigation of a non-cognizable offence by the police without the permission of the qualified Magistrate is illegal, according to Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal. "Subsequent permission granted cannot cure the illegitimacy since the police officer has no jurisdiction to investigate non-cognizable offence without the order of the Magistrate having jurisdiction", he further added.

The court stated that simply making an argument against the representatives of a political group, even though it were false or unfounded, does not constitute an offence under Section 505 of the IPC (which deals with Statements conducing to public mischief).

The court went on to say that the complainant, who is neither a family member nor a close relative of late Jawaharlal Nehru or late Rajiv Gandhi, cannot arbitrarily presume the position of an aggrieved individual under Section 199(1) of the CrPC by claiming that his feelings were hurt by the imputation and publishing of an alleged defamatory statement. 

It further stated that Section 298 of the IPC only applies to oral words spoken in presence of a person and that it has no application where the argument is over a printed document or a tweet. "There's still no claim that the petitioner hurt anyone's religious feelings, including respondent No. 4. As a result, none of the elements necessary to constitute an offence under (Section 298 of the Indian Penal Code) may be used against the petitioner. As a result, based on the contents of the FIR concerning the offence under Section 298 of the IPC, no offence under Section 298 has been formed against the petitioner", the court said.

"It is not said that two different religious, racial, language, or regional groups, castes, or communities are involved in the said tweet, and as a result, there are no two different religious groups, which is a sine qua non for attracting offences under Sections 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 505(2) of the IPC and one of the essential and basic ingredients of the above-stated offences of involvement of two different religious groups", it added.



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Chhattisgarh High Court Affirms Lower Court Order; Dismisses Revision Petition Seeking Criminal Action against Aamir Khan Chhattisgarh High Court Affirms Lower Court Order; Dismisses Revision Petition Seeking Criminal Action against Aamir Khan

Chhattisgarh High Court upholds lower court's decision, dismisses revision petition seeking criminal action against Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.

Chhattisgarh High Court quashes FIRs registered against BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Sambit Patra and Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga Chhattisgarh High Court quashes FIRs registered against BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Sambit Patra and Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga

one of the essential and basic ingredients of the above-stated offences of involvement of two different religious groups", it added. Chhattisgarh High Court, Chhattisgarh High Court order, Chhattisgarh High Court judgement

SC sets free man from case under SC/ST Act as offence not committed due to caste [Read Judgment] SC sets free man from case under SC/ST Act as offence not committed due to caste [Read Judgment]

Supreme Court clears man in SC/ST Act case, stating offences must be caste-motivated for conviction under the Act.

SC to consider forming guidelines on trial for deaf-dumb people [Read Order] SC to consider forming guidelines on trial for deaf-dumb people [Read Order]

Supreme Court to consider guidelines for trials of deaf-dumb individuals, addressing fairness in cases like rape. Notice issued to Union and Chhattisgarh govt.

TRENDING NEWS

a-new-dawn-in-indias-criminal-justice-system-replacing-colonial-shackles-with-indigenous-legal-reforms
Trending Vantage Points
A New Dawn in India’s Criminal Justice System: Replacing Colonial Shackles with Indigenous Legal Reforms

This research paper examines India’s transition from IPC, CrPC, and IEA to BNS, BNSS, and BSA, emphasizing victim-centric and technology-driven justice reforms.

30 July, 2025 12:41 PM
your-conduct-does-not-inspire-confidence-sc-reserves-judgment-on-justice-yashwant-varmas-plea
Trending Judiciary
‘Your Conduct Does Not Inspire Confidence’: SC Reserves Judgment on Justice Yashwant Varma’s Plea

CJI can recommend removal of a judge in cases of grave misconduct, SC says; clarifies CJI isn’t a mere post office & Parliament has final say.

30 July, 2025 04:14 PM

TOP STORIES

allegations-against-rahul-gandhi-indicated-deliberate-spreading-of-hatred-up-govt-tells-sc
Trending Executive
Allegations against Rahul Gandhi indicated deliberate spreading of hatred, UP govt tells SC

UP govt tells SC that Rahul Gandhi’s Savarkar remarks show deliberate hate-mongering; supports summons citing prima facie case under Sections 153A & 505 IPC.

25 July, 2025 01:45 PM
sc-raps-ktka-hc-on-manner-of-granting-bail-to-actor-darshan-in-murder-case
Trending CelebStreet
SC raps Ktka HC on manner of granting bail to actor Darshan in murder case

SC slams Karnataka HC for granting bail to actor Darshan in murder case, calls reasoning flawed and akin to acquittal; reserves order on state’s plea.

25 July, 2025 01:49 PM
sc-to-examine-inordinate-delay-in-judges-appointments
Trending Judiciary
SC to examine inordinate delay in judges appointments

SC to examine Centre’s delay in appointing judges despite Collegium reiteration; pleas allege 4-year lag affects judicial seniority and interest.

25 July, 2025 02:50 PM
sc-refuses-stay-on-udaipur-files-tells-petitioners-to-approach-delhi-hc
Trending Judiciary
SC refuses stay on 'Udaipur Files'; tells petitioners to approach Delhi HC

SC refuses to stay ‘Udaipur Files’ release; asks petitioners to approach Delhi HC over certification, says no views expressed on film’s merits.

25 July, 2025 03:37 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email