The Political Court relief for Times Now anchor in Prophet remarks row

The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim protection to Times Now anchor Navika Kumar from any coercive action with relevancy multiple FIRs already registered or future cases that will be lodged over the remarks made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma about Prophet Muhammed on May 26.

A bench of Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli sought a response from Delhi, West Bengal and other states' police within fortnight on her petition.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the senior journalist, submitted the petitioner, who was anchoring the show, said nothing offensive during the talk on Gyanvapi mosque. However, one participant said something which was retorted by another one. In fact, she had doused the fireplace by saying we've to travel by the Constitution, he said.

"The woman, (Nupur Sharma) who made the statement, is facing flak in numerous FIRs. The petitioner is additionally facing FIRs in many countries. First FIR was lodged in Delhi," he said.

Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, appearing for the state government, said the copy of FIRs annexed with the plea weren't the proper ones as "those failed to concern the actual speech."

Rohatgi, however, questioned the "extra interest" shown by the province government within the matter.

After a quick hearing, the court, as an interim measure, directed that no coercive action should be taken against the petitioner following the FIRs/complaints lodged or future cases which can be registered with relevance the programme on May 26.

On July 19, the court had similarly ordered that no coercive action will be taken against Nupur Sharma in FIRs registered up to now and also in cases, which may well be lodged in future in reference to her remarks during the controversy. 

The order by the highest court, which earlier on Dominion Day declined to contemplate her similar plea saying "her remark has set the whole country on fire", had come as her counsel submitted that she faced real threat to her life and liberty.

Sharma faced cases in Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir and other states.