New Delhi: The Supreme Court has quashed criminal cases against renowned psychologist and social critic Ashis Nandy over objectionable comments made at the Jaipur Literary Festival, citing his advanced age and unconditional apology, while strongly condemning his statements about marginalized communities.
A bench of Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice N.V. Anjaria addressed a writ petition filed by Nandy seeking quashing of an FIR registered at Police Station Ashok Nagar, Jaipur (South), Rajasthan, along with subsequent FIR No. 53/2013 at Mahamandi, Jodhpur, and a private complaint C.C. No. 248/2013 in Patna, Bihar.
The cases stemmed from controversial comments Nandy made at the annual Jaipur Literary Festival that were perceived as targeting marginalized sections of society. The court noted the respondent’s submission: “Immediately afterwards, one of the panel members had raised objection about the comment and had categorized it as a bizarre statement, the like of which has not been heard before in this country.”
The Court also expressed strong disapproval of Nandy’s remarks, stating: “We perfectly agree with the objection raised and we find the statement to be very objectionable. We cannot but condemn the statements made in the strongest terms, especially since it does not become a person of the petitioner’s status and his self-proclaimed attainments of acclaim and renown.”
When Nandy’s counsel, Mr. Sunil Fernandes, emphasized his client’s status as a “renowned intellectual and clinical psychologist, social theorist and critic of universal acclaim,” the court responded firmly, cautioning that “the celebrity status of the petitioner will not deter us from finding fault with him, if he has made objectionable comments.”
Dr. K.S. Chauhan, representing one of the respondents, highlighted the objectionable nature of the comments, emphasizing their impact on marginalized communities.
Despite this strong condemnation, the court ultimately decided to quash the cases based on compelling circumstances. The court observed: “However, we notice that the petitioner is now 90 years old and the criminal cases were hanging over his head, akin to the sword of Damocles, for the last about 12 years.”
A crucial factor in the court’s decision was Nandy’s unconditional apology. The bench noted: “We are of the opinion that the criminal cases should be quashed, especially in the context of an apology having been unconditionally and unequivocally made before this Court in a letter, which was recorded by this Court on 24.11.2014.”
The court had earlier given respondents liberty to publish the apology statement, though this option was not utilized. It emphasized that its decision was based solely on the apology, stating the writ petition was “allowed, only by reason of the apology proffered.”
Balancing its strong moral condemnation with practical considerations of justice, the Supreme Court ruled: “Though we condemn the statements made by the petitioner in the strongest terms, we are of the opinion that in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, and also considering that the petitioner is now a nonagenarian, we direct that the criminal complaints be quashed.”
The judgment was delivered on September 4, 2025, bringing closure to criminal proceedings pending since 2013.
Case Title: Ashis Nandy v. Union of India & Ors., Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 19/2013
