Why SC verdict on Congress MP could help BeerBiceps, Kunal Kamra
The apex court’s judgement quashing an FIR over a poem gives the police and courts clear guidelines on how to act in cases filed against works of art, performances and literature.
The Supreme Court’s judgement while quashing a case filed against a Congress lawmaker can serve as a guideline for the police and courts when it comes to protecting the right to free speech in art and literature. The judgement, which quashed an FIR filed against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, mentions various forms of art including stand-up comedy, which could have an impact on cases like those against influencer Ranveer Allahabadia and comedian Kunal Kamra.
The Supreme Court bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Ujal Bhuyan noted at the very beginning of the judgement that the FIR against the MP “shows that even after 75 years of the existence of our Constitution, the law enforcement machinery of the State is either ignorant about this important fundamental right or does not care for this fundamental right”.
