YouTuber Ajeet Bharti Moves P&H High Court Seeking Protection From Coercive Action Over Remarks On CJI BR Gavai

YouTuber Ajeet Bharti has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking protection from coercive action in connection with alleged objectionable remarks made by him against CJI B.R. Gavai.

According to media reports, Punjab Police have booked the right-wing influencer among others in over a dozen FIRs for “casteist” and “provocative” remarks made on social media about CJI Gavai.

Punjab Police registered multiple FIRs against individuals accused of posting objectionable and casteist remarks against the CJI on social media, in the aftermath of an advocate hurling a shoe at the CJI during court proceedings.

According to Punjab Police, several complaints were received in several districts of the state against more than 100 social media handles who had posted casteist and hateful content against the Chief Justice.

Justice Subhas Mehla after hearing the matter today, adjourned it for November 3.

Bharti in his petition stated that he has given no statement or otherwise stated anything which has any criminal implication, much less violation of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 as reported by several media reports.

It is submitted that his views have always been in the nature of journalistic opinion on a matter of public importance and does not satisfy the statutory ingredients of the offences, now being reportedly alleged through media. 

“The Petitioner has highest reverence for the Judiciary and his statements /comments are intended to improve the functioning of the system,” his plea added.

Title: Ajeet Bharti v State of Punjab 

Advocate Ashish Dixit appeared for the petitioner.

The plea has been filed through Advocates Amit Siwach and Shivan Tiwari