'Submit Link Of Video On CJI Gavai If You Want Details Of FIR': Punjab & Haryana High Court Tells YouTuber Ajeet Bharti

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed YouTuber Ajeet Bharti to furnish the link of the video in which a shoe was allegedly thrown at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai if he seeks details of the FIR registered against him.

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

Justice Subhas Mehla said, “The present petition is disposed of with the direction that if the petitioner/accused wants to know the details of FIR then he is at liberty to furnish details of the video uploaded by him on social media to the Senior Superintendent of Police, S.A.S. Nagar and get the details regarding the FIR against him.”

The Court noted that the State has taken cognizance of the videos, but at this point of time, since the investigation was ongoing, it was not possible to ascertain whether Bharti has been been made an accused or not in any case.

The case was dispose of Bharti's plea with a direction that in case he wants to know about the FIR, he needs to furnish details of his video.

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.

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 was 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.

Advocate Ashish Dixit appeared for the petitioner.

Ad AG Jastej Singh for Punjab Government.

Title: Ajeet Bharti v State of Punjab