Alleged Derogatory Remarks on PM Modi's Father Face Legal Scrutiny
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has dismissed the plea to quash the First Information Report (FIR) and criminal proceedings against Congress leader Pawan Khera. The case revolves around alleged derogatory remarks made by Khera about the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his father.
The FIR against the Congress spokesperson was filed in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in February of the previous year. Khera faced accusations of making objectionable comments about PM Modi's father during a press conference, where he referred to the Prime Minister as "Narendra Gautam Das Modi" while demanding an investigation into allegations involving businessman Gautam Adani.
During the controversy, Khera questioned the Prime Minister's reluctance to participate in parliamentary debates and challenged his avoidance of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The remarks triggered criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to the filing of a case against Khera under various sections, including promoting enmity between different groups (IPC 153A), defamation (IPC 500), and insult (IPC 504).
A second FIR was later filed against Khera in Assam, and the Supreme Court consolidated both cases. In February 2023, Khera was arrested by Assam Police while attempting to fly to Raipur from Delhi. The Supreme Court subsequently granted interim bail to the Congress leader.
During the court proceedings, Khera argued that the statements against PM Modi were a "mistake" and a "slip of the tongue." Despite his plea, the Allahabad High Court had previously declined to quash the case, leading Khera to approach the Supreme Court, which has now upheld the FIR and criminal proceedings against him.
