Sixteen years after a controversy erupted over a joke on the television show 'Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo', the Bombay High Court has quashed the FIR filed against actor-host Shekhar Suman and comedian Bharti Singh, offering them long-awaited relief. The verdict was delivered on May 1.
For those unfamiliar with the case, an FIR was lodged against Shekhar Suman and Bharti Singh for allegedly using objectionable words: "Ya Allah! Rasgulla! Dahi Bhalla!" The court observed that mentioning food items in a comic act cannot be considered an insult to religion. "Mere mention of food items in a comic act cannot amount to an insult to religion. Something more is required. There must be material to show that the words were selected as a weapon of offence," the court stated.
Shekhar Suman Reacts to the Verdict
Reacting to the court's decision, Shekhar Suman expressed relief and surprise. In an interview with Hindustan Times, he said, "I did not even know about it. It was Bharti who had said something innocuously, with no religious connotation. I wasn't even part of it, but was unnecessarily dragged into the matter to gain publicity."
He added, "I'm extremely thankful to the honourable judge who trashed the case. It came as a surprise. I had long forgotten about it. I wasn't sent a notice or asked to appear for my stand. Thank God for that. Imagine how some people waste the precious time of court and hassle innocent citizens. Justice prevails."
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 2010, when a complaint was filed over allegedly objectionable remarks aired on the Sony TV programme 'Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo'. Along with Suman and Singh, the channel and a scriptwriter were also named in the FIR. The complaint, filed by a representative of Raza Academy, alleged that Bharti Singh had made a joke referencing a Quranic verse, which was then repeated by Suman during the episode.
The Bombay High Court's ruling brings closure to a long-standing legal battle, emphasizing that humor and comedy should not be misinterpreted as religious offenses. The decision has been welcomed by many in the entertainment industry as a victory for freedom of expression.
