The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted protection from arrest to suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over multiple FIRs filed against her in connection with the alleged controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The court also sought response from Centre and various states by August 10 over Sharma's request for clubbing all FIRs filed against her.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and J.B. Pardiwala posted the matter for hearing on August 10.
"In the meanwhile, as an interim measure, it is directed that no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner pursuant to the impugned FIRs/complaints or such FIRs/complaints which may be registered/entertained in future pertaining to the telecast dated May 26, 2022," said the bench.
The bench permitted the petitioner to file an additional affidavit giving specific details of the threats extended to her after filing the application.
On July 1, the same bench of the top court, had severely criticised Sharma for her controversial comments against the Prophet, saying her "loose tongue" has "set the entire country on fire" and that she is "single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country."
"She has a threat or she has become a security threat? The way she has ignited emotions across the country… this lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country," the bench had said when Sharma's lawyer pointed out that she was facing threats to life.
Sharma moved the Supreme Court on Monday with a fresh plea urging protection from arrest as well as the revival of her withdrawn petition seeking clubbing of FIRs lodged in several states over her remarks on the Prophet. She had made Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam parties in her petition where FIRs have been lodged against her.
Sharma has also sought expunction of adverse remarks made by the bench against her on July 1, saying she has been receiving death threats after the criticism, according to a lawyer associated with the case.
