Delhi LG nod to Arundhati Roy, ex-professor’s trial in ‘provocative speech’ case
Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, had filed a complaint on October 28, 2010, about “provocative speeches” being made at a conference in Delhi
Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of author Arundhati Roy and a former Kashmiri professor in a 2010 case related to alleged provocative speeches.
The FIR against Roy and former professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain was registered following the orders of the Delhi Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Raj Niwas officials said on Tuesday (October 10).
“LG VK Saxena noted that, prima facie, a case is made out against Roy and Dr Hussain, former Professor, International Law, Central University of Kashmir, for commission of offence under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of Indian Penal Code for their speeches at a public function in the national capital,” a Raj Niwas official elaborated.
Under CrPC Section 196(1), a valid sanction for prosecution from the state government is a prerequisite for offences such as hate speech, hate crimes, hurting religious sentiments, sedition, waging war against the state, and promoting enmity, among others.
Two other accused — Kashmiri separatist leader Sayed Ali Shah Geelani and Delhi University lecturer Syed Abdul Rahman Geelani — died during the pendency of the case. The latter was acquitted by the Supreme Court on technical grounds in the Parliament attack case.
Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, had filed a complaint on October 28, 2010, with the Tilak Marg Station House Officer against various people and speakers involved in delivering “provocative speeches” in public in a conference organised by the Committee for Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP) under the banner of Azadi — The Only Way on October 21.
The complainant had alleged that the issue discussed and propagated was “Separation of Kashmir from India”. It was also alleged that the speeches were provocative in nature, thus jeopardising public peace and security.
(With agency inputs)