CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Assam, where one FIR has been registered, and Uttar Pradesh, where two FIRs have been registered, will file replies in the matter, a bench headed by Pardiwala said. On 23 February, the Supreme Court granted relief to Kheda, saying that he would be released on interim bail upon being produced before a magistrate in Delhi. The top court told senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kheda, “We have given you relief, but there should be some level of negotiation.”
Arrests were made while going to Raipur
The court agreed to hear Kheda’s plea to club all the FIRs at one place. Khera was arrested when he was on an IndiGo flight to Raipur. He was going to be part of the plenary session of the Congress. Congress leaders and workers protested at the airport after Khera was stopped from boarding the flight. Within hours, the top court was approached and a bench headed by Chief Justice Chandrachud granted protection from arrest till Tuesday.
intentionally insulted PM
During the hearing last week, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Assam Police, submitted that Kheda did not make the statement by mistake. He deliberately insulted the PM, who is the elected leader of the world’s largest democracy. Bhati played the video in support of his arguments. Bhati insisted that the court would have to see the full video of the press conference and then it would be clear where it was a mistake or the remarks were made intentionally.
Offensive remarks made to provoke satisfaction
During the hearing, the bench asked Bhati, you tell us prima facie how 153A is made? Bhati said that the entire press conference should be seen and it is a derogatory remark made against the PM to incite disaffection. Singhvi said that this is a deliberate harassment by registering three FIRs in two states and that his client has already tendered an apology and added that Kheda would tender an unconditional apology for his remarks on the PM.