Supreme Court Overturns Fine on Political Analyst for Criticizing Religious Figure

The Supreme Court overturned a Punjab and Haryana High Court decision that fined Tehseen Poonawalla Rs 10 lakh for ridiculing Jain monk Tarun Sagar, condemning the order as a form of moral policing. Justices Abhay S Okay and Ujjal Bhuyan found no basis for the imposed costs.

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has nullified an earlier judgment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court that levied a Rs 10 lakh fine on political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla, criticizing the act of moral policing.

The apex court bench, comprising Justices Abhay S Okay and Ujjal Bhuyan, quashed the 2019 high court order that also implicated music composer and singer Vishal Dadlani with financial penalties for allegedly mocking a Jain monk.

According to the Supreme Court, the original ruling appeared to be unduly influenced by religious sentiments and set a concerning precedent by attempting to deter criticism through financial punishment.

(With inputs from agencies.)