The bench had previously requested a response from the state of Maharashtra in response to a contempt case alleging failure to take action against hate speeches.
Digital
Desk: The Supreme Court today broadened the scope
of its 2022 judgement, which directed the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand
Police to take suo motu action against hate speech cases, and ordered all
states and union territories to register hate speech cases even if no complaint
was filed. The court has cautioned that failure to file cases on time will be
viewed as contempt of court.
The top court called it a severe violation and added that hate
speech is "capable of affecting the secular fabric of the country."
The court was hearing a
slew of petitions alleging hate speech offences. The bench had previously
requested a response from the state of Maharashtra in response to a contempt
case alleging failure to take action against hate speeches.
"We further make it clear that such action be taken
irrespective of the religion of the maker of the speech, so that the secular
character of Bharat as envisaged by the Preamble is preserved," the bench,
composed of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna, stated in a decision issued
today.
The petitioners proposed
appointing a nodal officer for each state, whereas the bench proposed one for
each district. The petitioners also stated that a system for removing hate
speech from social media should be established.
On applications seeking FIR against union minister Anurag Thakur
and others for hate speech, Justice KM Joseph stated that the Magistrate
decided that sanction is required for FIR, and the High Court agreed.
"The judges are apolitical and are not concerned with Party
A or Party B, and the only thing they have in mind is the Constitution of
India," the panel stated.
It stated that the court has been hearing petitions against hate
speeches in various sections of the country for the "greater public
good" and to ensure the "rule of law."
The case will be heard by the Supreme Court again on May 12.
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