The Supreme Court today declined urgent listing of a public interest litigation assailing objectionable comments allegedly made by an influencer against Prophet Muhammad.

The Court asked the petitioner to first approach the police authorities and have faith in the system.

A partial Court working days bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu refused to urgently list the PIL filed by AoR Ansar Ahmad Chaudhary. The matter was mentioned before the bench by Advocate Rajat Kumar, who submitted that the comments could create communal disharmony.

As per reports, influencer Nazia Elahi Khan made alleged derogatory comments against Prophet Muhammad and his family during a podcast in June, clips of which went viral on social media. The incident was followed by multiple FIRs being registered against the influencer.

Questioning the practice of litigants bypassing the procedure and local authorities to directly approach the Supreme Court, Justice Amanullah remarked,

"Have you filed a case? The police is there. Have faith in our system. We are only the Apex, we are here to monitor. It is also an eye-opener for us whether our lower functionaries are working or not? If everything is short-circuited here, they will also raise hands that okay...that is what is happening...all institutions are going haywire because everything comes from the top."

The judge also cautioned that such things should not be sensationalized and added that the issue can be raised if normal procedure does not result in appropriate action.

"It's a grave thing, I agree with you...speaking for myself, I am very sensitive to it...but then there is a procedure. If that doesn't work, come to us. In sensitive matters, you are also a citizen of India first, you must understand the implications. You are a counsel...You know the law. you understand the consequences. Don't sensationalize these things. If one person has made a mistake, pin him down with the full force of the law."

The PIL impleads the Union of India's Department of Home, MeiTY, YouTube, Facebook, X and Nazia Elahi Khan. It has been filed seeking the following reliefs -

- Directions for framing and implementation of appropriate guidelines/regulations to curb, regulate and prevent the publication, circulation and dissemination of content on digital and social media platforms that is deliberately derogatory, offensive, or insulting towards revered religious figures, including but not limited to Prophet Muhammad and Bhagwan Shri Ram only,

- Directions for the authorities to take necessary steps to ensure that adequate safeguards are put in place to prevent the intentional misuse of online platforms for the purpose of outraging religious sentiments and promoting disharmony between communities, and

- Directions for authorities to take immediate steps for identification, removal and deletion of all defamatory videos and all posts/publications/allegations emanating from them, or any other videos/posts/publications/allegations which are identical to, or similar in content, from all social media platforms, including but not limited to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X, to ensure that no untoward incident takes place due to the wide circulation of such videos.

Case Title: MD ANAS CHAUDHARY v. UNION OF INDIA UNION OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HOME PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, WP(Crl) Diary No. 39051/2026