Madras High Court Quashes FIR Against BJP's Amit Malviya

The Madras High Court quashed the FIR against BJP's Amit Malviya, accused of distorting comments by Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin on 'Sanatana Dharma'. The court found Stalin's remarks to constitute hate speech, while Malviya's response was deemed a reaction, dismissing the case as misuse of legal process.

The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench has annulled an FIR lodged against Amit Malviya, head of BJP's IT Cell, who was accused of misrepresenting remarks made by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on 'Sanatana Dharma'. The court questioned why those instigating hate speech faced no legal consequences, while those responding did.

In his ruling, Justice S Srimathy highlighted that the continuation of this case would undermine the legal process, leading to the quashing of the FIR filed by the Tiruchirappalli city police. The judge remarked that Stalin's comments amounted to hate speech, while Malviya's critique did not distort the minister's statements.

The case centers around Stalin's 2023 comments calling for the 'eradication' of Sanatana Dharma. Malviya strongly reacted, equating such calls to advocating genocide against the majority of Sanatana Dharma followers. The judgment criticized the legal framework for failing to hold initiators of hate speech accountable while penalizing those who react.

(With inputs from agencies.)