New Delhi, Aug 10 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday transferred all FIRs filed against suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial comments on Prophet Muhammad to Delhi Police. The top court granted her the option of contacting the Delhi High Court for quashing of the FIRs.
It was also unable to accept a request from the West Bengal government for a court-supervised SIT investigation.
A bench consisting of justices Surya Kant and J.B.Pardiwala ordered clubbing of all FIRs filed across the country in the case of Sharma who will be investigated by the Delhi Police.
The highest court in the decision dismissed the vehement protests of the West Bengal government, which wanted its police to be part of the SIT with the Delhi Police or a court-appointed SIT.
The court allowed Sharma to petition to the Delhi High Court seeking quashing of the FIRs that were lodged or to be filed for her alleged statements in the near future.
It also stated that all FIRs that are filed in the future in relation with her comments will be handed over to Delhi Police.
The supreme court clarified that the protection from arrest for Sharma continues in any pending or future FIRs.
The bench also pointed out that an FIR was filed by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police, which is a specialized agency.The court suggested it should conduct the investigation.
Senior attorney Menaka Guruswamy who represents the West Bengal government, objected to the transfer of FIRs to Delhi Police by saying that the first FIR that was filed against Sharma was filed in Mumbai and claimed that the accused shouldn’t be allowed to choose the place of jurisdiction.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Sharma said that the highest court’s intervention is needed because his client has been subject to threats to her life following the television debate in which she was accused of making the comments.
On the 19th of July the highest court ordered that no coercive actions could be taken against Sharma in FIRs that are already filed and in future FIRs in connection with her comments.
The supreme court had stated: “Meanwhile, as an interim measure, it is ordered to ensure that no coercive action will be initiated against Nupur Sharma in connection with the FIRs that are disputed.”
Sharma had filed a petition with to the Supreme Court seeking stay on her arrest in the nine FIRs that were filed against her for her comments on the Prophet Muhammad and also seeking to quashing or clubbing of the FIRs with the FIRs registered in Delhi.
The 1st of July, the highest court had no hesitation in criticizing Sharma who’s comments on the Prophet caused a national debate.
The court’s top justice had stated that her unruly tongue had put the entire country on fire, and her reckless remarks prove the fact that she is “obstinate and arrogant”.
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