Nupur Sharma controversy: SC transfers all present, future FIRs against Times Now journalist Navika Kumar to Delhi
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday transferred all present and future FIRs against Times Now anchor Navika Kumar to Delhi police over the remarks made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma about Prophet Muhammed on May 26.
A bench of Justices M R Shah and Krishna Murari also granted her interim protection from any coercive action for eight weeks in those case, in order to enable her to approach the Delhi High Court for relief.
Kumar has approached the top court seeking consolidation of FIRs lodged in various states, five in West Bengal, two in Maharashtra, one in Jammu and Kashmir and transferring those to Delhi police.
She relied upon the Supreme Court's order passed in Nupur Sharma case on August 10, by which multiple FIRs were transferred to IFSO Unit of Delhi Police for the purpose of investigation.
Her counsel contended similar order may be passed in case of the petitioner also who is the co-accused in the transferred FIRs/complaints as there cannot be two investigating agencies with respect to same FIRs.
Agreeing to the submission, the bench said, "The FIRs/complaints which are transferred to IFSO unit of Delhi Police, in which the petitioner is also a co-accused, there cannot be two investigating agencies with respect to the same FIRs/complaints arising out of the same incident/occurrence with respect to different co-accused."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appeared for the Union government and also on behalf of the Government of NCT of Delhi, State of Maharashtra, and Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and advocate Ravinder Singh, represented the State of West Bengal.
Senior advocates Maninder Singh and Neeraj Kishan Kaul appeared for Kumar.
Her plea was filed through M/s Karanjawala & Co.
