FIR Lodged In Maharashtra Against Social Media User For Insulting CJI Gavai, Hurting Sentiments Of Dalits

An advocate has lodged an FIR against a social media user for allegedly creating an 'objectionable' video of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai and posting the same on 'X' (formerly Twitter).

As per the FIR lodged with the New Panvel Police Station in Navi Mumbai, the social media user "Kikki Singh" has created a video showing CJI Gavai with a pot around his neck, and blue paint on his face and an unknown person hitting him on his face with shoes.

As per FIR, the video "attempts to suggest that any Scheduled Caste person, no matter how high a position they may have attained, deserves to be treated in the same way that untouchables were treated in history, based on their caste."

The FIR further alleges that Kikki Singh along with some of his known persons has conspired to create hatred against CJI Gavai and the Scheduled Caste persons, because he is the first Dalit CJI.

Katarnavare has said that CJI Gavai has in no manner criticised or insulted Hindus or the Sanatan Dharma and thus a narrative that is being created may have consequences— one such was the recent one wherein an advocate hurled a shoe at the CJI.

"Though the Supreme Court Registry has decided not to take action against the said advocate, but CJI Gavai's mother and sister have issued statements that this is an attack on the Constitution of India and thus, I have proceeded to file this FIR for this (video) incident," the advocate said.

On the basis of the said complaint the police has registered an FIR under section 3(5) (common intention), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 196 (promoting enmity based on caste), 352 (intentional insult), 353 (creating rumours to create enmity) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The police has also invoked relevant provisions of the stringent Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.