Man who threatened judges over hijab order seeks SC help

A Tamil Nadu resident, who has been named in at least two first information reports (FIRs) in the state and neighbouring Karnataka over alleged threats issued to the Karnataka High Court judges who recently delivered a ruling disallowing hijab in schools and educational institutions, moved the Supreme Court seeking to have all the FIRs against him quashed or clubbed together for a single probe.

Rahamathulla allegedly issued the threats in a video where he is seen making inflammatory statements against the judges, accusing them of promoting enmity between different classes in society.

An FIR was lodged in this connection in Tamil Nadu and Rahamathulla was arrested on March 19. He has been remanded to custody since. Another FIR was filed on this in Karnataka. Rahamathulla appealed to the top court to transfer these FIRs to a single place to facilitate a single probe. Multiple probes by different agencies would place him at a disadvantage in any probe and adversely affect his right to a fair trial, he said. He sought a court order restraining any further FIRs against him on the same issue. He contended that he would not be able to approach the courts in these two areas separately. He may also have to deal with conflicting orders issued on the subject, he said.