Karnataka High Court Stays FIR Against Writer Chakravarthi Sulibele For Alleged Anti-Muslim Speech During Public Function

Karnataka High Court has in an interim order stayed the operation of an FIR registered against writer & political activist Chakravarthi Sulibele accused of pushing inflammatory, anti-Muslim rhetoric about Muslim girls during a public function at Dharwad.The single judge bench of Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar, in his May 7 order noted:“…there is a need for consideration of the matter at length. However, from a prima-facie point of view, the case is made out for grant of stay of the proceedings. Therefore, there shall be a stay of all further proceedings in Crime No.0063 of 2026 registered by Dharwad Town Police Station, pending on the file of the II Additional Civil Judge and C.J.M (Jr. Dn.) and JMFC, Dharwad, insofar as the petitioner/accused is concerned, till the next date of hearing”.The bench sitting at Dharwad has also granted the state time to file objections in the meantime.For context, an FIR was registered against Sulibele by Dharwad Town Police Station under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023[Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.].Along with inordinate delay, the plea argued no preliminary enquiry was conducted under Section 173(3) of BNS, 2023 before registering the FIR. The allegations are vague and inflammatory, and there is a clear political motive behind the registration of an FIR when there isn't any public informant, the plea states.The petitioner also contends that the statements made, if any, fall under protected speech under Article 19(1)(a) and the complainant is neither a victim nor an aggrieved person.The petitioner has relied on the apex court judgment in Imran Pratapgadhi v. State of Gujarat, 2025 SCC Online SC 678, wherein the Apex Court held that Constitutional courts must be at the forefront to zealously protect the fundamental rights of the citizens.On May 7 [Thursday], Senior Counsel Aruna Shyam, appearing for the activist, argued that the FIR was registered at the instance of a complaint made by a police constable, who doesn't have any locus standi since he could not be an aggrieved person. The counsel also vehemently argued that the ingredients of Section 196 of BNS are not attracted.Accordingly, the court allowed the interim relief in favour of Sulibele by staying the FIR against him.Case Title: Chakravarthy Sulibeli @ Mithun Chakravarthy Devidas Shet v. State of KarnatakaCase No: Crl. Pet. No. 959 /2026Click Here To Read/Download Order

Karnataka High Court Stays FIR Against Writer Chakravarthi Sulibele For Alleged Anti-Muslim Speech During Public Function

Sebin James

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