Karnataka: Aaj Tak’s Sudhir Chaudhary Gets Temporary Protection From Arrest In Hate Speech Case

The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the police to refrain from taking precipitative action in response to the FIR filed against Sudhir Chaudhary, Consulting Editor of Aaj Tak news channel.

However, the court stated that a prima facie case has been made against him and it should be investigated. It also observed that it would dispose of the petition filed by Chaudhary challenging the FIR and that there was no need for custodial interrogation till then, according to a PTI report.

Chaudhary's request for an interim stay order was also denied, and the High Court directed the petition to be scheduled for a hearing on September 20. "Specific allegation (in the news report) was that the government is providing a state scheme only to minorities and depriving the Hindus. There is prima facie case to go for investigation," Live Law quoted the Judge as stating during the first phase of the hearing.

The FIR lodged was filed at the Seshadripuram police station in Bengaluru following a complaint by Shivakumar S, the Assistant Administrative Officer of the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation Limited.

Chaudhary has been charged under Sections 153A (inciting hostility between religious or social groups) and 505 (making statements leading to public unrest) of the Indian Penal Code. These offences carry a penalty of up to 3 years of imprisonment.

The High Court stated that the scheme designed for minorities by the Minority Development Corporation is open to criticism by anyone, including the media. However, the court emphasized the necessity to investigate whether the allegations pertaining to the news item broadcasted by the petitioner meet the criteria outlined in Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to promoting enmity between different groups based on various factors, PTI reported.

"Till Tuesday (Sep 19) don't take any precipitative action. I am going to hear the matter. This matter is to be disposed of. I cannot keep it pending. I need time to hear the matter till Tuesday," the court said.

According to the complaint, Chaudhary plotted to disturb communal harmony by disseminating false information on his channel regarding the Karnataka government's 'Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme' which gives a 50 per cent subsidy on bank loans for commercial transport vehicle purchases, up to Rs three lakh, to religious minorities.

It was further claimed that during a news program on the Aaj Tak channel, Chaudhary propagated misinformation, accusing the government of favouring the minority community.