In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has declined a request to consolidate multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against Amit Baghel, the president of the Johar Chhattisgarh Party (JCP). The FIRs were registered for his alleged objectionable statements targeting the Sindhi community and their deity.
Court's Firm Stance and Light-Hearted Remark
The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, heard the plea from Baghel's counsel, senior advocate Siddharth Dave. While Dave admitted that his client's statements were unpalatable, he argued they were made in the heat of the moment and not with the intent to deliberately hurt sentiments. He pleaded that since five FIRs were already filed in Chhattisgarh, the cases from other states should be transferred there for a consolidated legal process.
However, the bench remained firm in its decision not to intervene. In a lighter vein, the court suggested that Baghel should enjoy visiting different states free of cost in the company of the respective state police forces. The justices remarked, "You should keep your tongue in cheek," and added, "State police would come and take you to their states. Enjoy travelling all over the country."
Legal Argument and Widespread Protests
Advocate Dave highlighted a growing concern, stating that it is becoming a trend to lodge multiple FIRs across the country to harass an individual. He pointed out that the apex court had previously ordered the clubbing of FIRs in similar situations to prevent such harassment.
The legal trouble for Baghel stems from more than a dozen FIRs filed against him in states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The controversy ignited when the Sindhi community took to the streets in protest. Demonstrators burned effigies of Baghel and submitted a formal memorandum to the President, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Minister. Their demands included filing a sedition case against him and calling for a ban on his political party.
The core of the community's grievance was the allegation that Baghel had derogatorily referred to the Sindhi community as 'Pakistani', a remark that sparked widespread outrage and led to the legal actions now facing the JCP president.
