SC bars new cases against Stalin Jr over Sanatan talk

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no further criminal cases be registered without its permission against Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in connection with his comments about Sanatan Dharma.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna passed the interim order on a plea filed by the DMK leader to club all such cases filed against him across the country. The bench listed the case for resumed hearing in April.

The bench was apprised Thursday that a new FIR has been registered against him in Bihar.


Appearing on behalf of the DMK leader, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that other individuals have got away without any consequences despite making worse comments.

Appearing on behalf of the Maharashtra government, solicitor general Tushar Mehta countered by saying: "It was a Sanatan Dharma eradication conference. He said something is not to be dealt with but eradicated like corona. What would happen if the another CM said that any other religion has to be eradicate? Merely because the community which was sought to be eradicated does not react violently, this cannot be said."

Speaking for the bench, CJI verbally remarked: "As an apex court, we will not comment. It will impact the trial."