Supreme Court Protects Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi from Arrest
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court of India has granted temporary protection to Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi from arrest related to an FIR alleging social harmony disruption. The case, originating from a video post, raises questions about the responsibilities of public figures in maintaining social peace.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court intervenes in arrest case.
- Imran Pratapgarhi faces FIR for social unrest.
- Next hearing scheduled for February 10.
- Gujarat High Court emphasizes lawmakers' responsibility.
- Prosecution argues against social media incitement.
New Delhi, Jan 21 (NationPress) In an interim order issued on Tuesday, the Supreme Court has provided protection to Congress Rajya Sabha MP and poet Imran Pratapgarhi from arrest regarding an FIR against him for allegedly disrupting social harmony.
The case traces back to January 3, 2025, when a complaint was lodged at the Jamnagar police station by a clerk of an advocate. The complaint claimed that a video shared by Pratapgarhi on Instagram, featuring a poem, was inciting unrest and jeopardizing social peace.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice concerning the special leave petition filed by the Congress leader and scheduled the matter for further hearing on February 10.
Meanwhile, the apex court decreed that no coercive measures would be taken against Imran Pratapgarhi based on the contested FIR.
Previously, the Gujarat High Court rejected Pratapgarhi's request to dismiss the FIR against him. In its ruling, the Gujarat HC indicated that as a legislator, Pratapgarhi must act with responsibility and adhere to the legal framework. It also mandated him to submit an affidavit clarifying the origins of the poem used in the video. Pratapgarhi was instructed to indicate if the poem was his creation or sourced from another author, along with the author's details.
During the hearing at the Gujarat High Court, Pratapgarhi asserted that the poem in question was either authored by notable poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz or Habib Jalib. He mentioned that he discovered the poem through various online channels, including internet forums and chat rooms, but could not pinpoint a specific source.
To support his assertions, Pratapgarhi presented screenshots from an AI tool (ChatGPT). He contended that the poem, which advocates love and non-violence, was innocuous and did not constitute a criminal act.
On the other hand, the prosecution argued that as a Parliamentarian, Pratapgarhi bore the duty to act judiciously and refrain from inciting public unrest via social media.
The police had issued a notice to Pratapgarhi on January 4, requesting his presence on January 11, but he did not cooperate with the investigation. The case remains in its preliminary stages, with the investigation still ongoing.
The Gujarat High Court emphasized that Pratapgarhi's actions could not be justified solely by his status as a public figure. His failure to comply with authorities and the ambiguity regarding the poem's origins were significant factors in denying his petition.
Ultimately, the Gujarat HC dismissed Pratapgarhi's plea, reinforcing the notion that lawmakers must abide by the law and act responsibly.
