The Supreme Court on Tuesday provided relief to suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma as it directed police to not arrest her in cases related to her remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during a TV debate on Times Now.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala, according to the Bar and Bench website, said, “This matter be listed on August 10, 2022. Copies of main writ be also forwarded along with notice to respondents. Serve through dasti notice and through standing counsel. Meanwhile, as an interim measure it is directed that no coercive shall be taken against Nupur Sharma.”
Earlier, the same Bench had come down heavily on Sharma as it blamed her for setting the country on fire with her ‘loose tongue.’ This had forced Sharma to withdraw her plea from the Supreme Court.
“In order to explore this, let notice be issued to the respondents returnable by 10th August. Copies of main writ petiiton be also forwarded along with the notice. Liberty granted for dasti and service through standing counsels,” LiveLaw tweeted quoting the order.
The top court on Tuesday said that it will explore options so that Sharma can approach the high court seeking quashing of all FIRs against her. Sharma had moved the top court seeking the quashing of all FIRs against her as she highlighted the increased threats to her life.
The top court also mentioned the lookout notice issued by the Kolkata Police against Sharma, adding that this has made Sharma more apprehensive about an imminent arrest.
“In the light of the subsequent events, some of which have been noticed above, the concern of this court is how to ensure that the petitioner is able to avail the alternative remedy as permitted by this Court on 1 July,” the court added.