The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea by Congress leader Pawan Khera, challenging the refusal of the Allahabad High Court to quash criminal proceedings against him for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A bench comprising of Justices BR Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra sought responses—including a statement from the state of Uttar Pradesh—on Khera’s plea challenging the 17 August order of the High Court. The bench stated, “Issue notice.”
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Khera, requested the bench that proceedings in the matter be stayed. The bench also issued notice on interim relief sought in the plea. On 17 August, the High Court dismissed Khera’s plea stating that the evidence collected by the case’s investigating officer could not be evaluated in the petition filed under section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for quashing the case.
It observed that since the top court asked Khera to raise all the contentions before the jurisdictional court at Lucknow, it would be appropriate if he raises all his grievances before the stated court. On 20 March, the apex court clubbed three FIRs lodged against Khera in Assam and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Modi. It transferred the matter to the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow while extending his interim bail.
The Lucknow court granted him bail in the case. On 23 February, the Congress spokesperson was arrested from the Delhi airport after he was de-boarded from a plane that was supposed to take him to Raipur. However, he was granted interim bail by the top court the same day, which has been extended from time to time. He was arrested by the Assam Police in connection with his alleged remarks against PM Modi made at a press conference in Mumbai on 17 February.
