SC Transfers All FIRs Against Navika Kumar In Prophet Mohammad Remark Row To Delhi Police

The Supreme Court today clubbed and transferred to the Delhi Police all FIRs registered against journalist Navika Kumar over the controversial remarks made by ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate moderated by her.

A Bench of Justice M R Shah and Justice Krishna Murari said that no coercive action would be taken against Kumar for a period of eight weeks so that she can avail remedies in the interim period.

It also granted liberty to Kumar to move the Delhi High Court for quashing of the lead FIR.

The Court also said that any FIR registered in the future against Kumar in the matter will also be transferred to the Delhi Police.

"The petitioner shall be at liberty to approach the Delhi High Court seeking the relief of quashing of the FIRs. We have not expressed any opinion on merits," the Bench said.

The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police will probe the matter.

The Apex Court on August 8 had granted interim protection from arrest to Kumar and issued notices to the Centre, West Bengal government, and others on plea of the journalist seeking quashing of proceedings initiated against her.

Sharma's remark on the Prophet during a TV debate had triggered protests across the country and drew sharp reactions from many Gulf countries. The BJP subsequently suspended her from the party.

The Supreme Court had on August 8, ordered as an interim measure that no coercive measure should be taken against Navika Kumar in the FIRs impugned by her and any FIRs that may be registered in future. The state of West Bengal had opposed the petition, stating that the first FIR registered in Calcutta had not been produced by Navika.

Cause Title - Navika Kumar v. Union of India & Ors.

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With PTI inputs