Supreme Court Acquits Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi in Poem-Related Case
Upholding Freedom of Speech and Expression
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has acquitted Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi in a criminal case concerning a poem he shared online. The poem, which advocated non-violence and love, did not merit criminal proceedings, according to the SC.
No Clear Evidence Against Imran Pratapgarhi
- The SC discovered no substantial evidence against Imran Pratapgarhi for the sections mentioned in the FIR.
- The FIR’s registration was considered a mechanical exercise and an abuse of the legal process.
- The poem did not instigate disharmony, hatred, or ill-will, nor did it disrupt public peace or insult any religion.
Evaluating Spoken and Written Words
The SC underlined the significance of evaluating the impact of spoken or written words based on the standards of reasonable, resolute, and brave individuals, rather than those with feeble and wavering minds. The bench added that criticism should not be viewed as a threat to power or position.
The Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression
The SC emphasized the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. This case demonstrated that even after 75 years of the Constitution’s existence, the state’s law enforcement machinery is either unaware of this crucial fundamental right or disregards it.
The Poem and Its Purpose
Imran Pratapgarhi’s poem aimed to confront injustice by rulers and express the response if the struggle for rights was met with injustice. The SC acknowledged the poem’s message and upheld the right to freedom of speech and expression.
