SC refers Brinda Karat's plea for hate speech FIR against Anurag Thakur, Pravesh Verma to another bench

It was the petitioners’ grievance that at the Rithala rally, Anurag Thakur had on January 27, 2020, allegedly egged on the crowd to raise an incendiary slogan after lashing out at anti-CAA protesters

The Supreme Court on January 9 referred to another bench a plea filed by CPI(M) leaders Brinda Karat and K.M. Tiwari challenging the trial court's refusal to direct registration of an FIR against Union Minister Anurag Thakur and his BJP colleague Pravesh Verma for their alleged hate speeches on anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M.M. Sundresh was informed that a similar matter was pending before another bench.

The lawyer for the petitioners informed the top court that a bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph was hearing a batch of petitions seeking action against hate speeches.

The apex court said it would be better if the case is placed before the same bench.

"The matter be listed before the same bench subject to orders of the Honourable Chief Justice," the bench said.

The top court was hearing Ms. Karat's plea challenging the June 13, 2022, order of the Delhi High Court.

The high court had dismissed the plea challenging the trial court's refusal to direct the registration of an FIR against Mr. Thakur and Mr. Verma for their alleged hate speeches.