Delhi High Court Rejects Plea Seeking “Free & Fair” Probe Into “I Love Muhammad” Posters In Uttarakhand, UP

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking a free and fair probe into three FIRs registered overI love Muhammad” posters displayed by individuals in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, commemorating the birth and passing of the Prophet.

A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela dismissed the plea observing that the petitioner, Shujaat Ali, had no 'public interest' in the matter. 

The Court said stated that the High Court of Delhi cannot pass directions in relation to FIRs registered in other States.

The PIL was filed accusing the UP and Uttarakhand police of registering false FIRs due to communal bias, criminalising peaceful expression.

It was submitted that those accused of displaying the aforesaid posters were celebrating their own religious festival and devotion.

However, in stating that the individual accused could claim recourse under the law, and the petitioner had no public interest in the matter, the court dismissed the plea.  

Title: Shujaat Ali v. Union of India

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 1481