Today, the Supreme Court seeks response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera's petition seeking to quash criminal proceedings initiated against him over an alleged statement concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The matter was heard before the division bench of Justices BR Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra challenging the Allahabad High Court orders, refusing to quash the criminal proceedings against Khera over his alleged 'Narendra Gautam Das Modi' comment made at a press conference in Mumbai.

During the previous hearing, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Congress leader, highlighted Pawan Khera's explanation that the remark had been made unintentionally and his swift apology posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

He further submitted that the extensive interpretation of the charges against Khera, which encompassed defamation, attempting to attempting to degrade and destablise the nation, promoting enmity and hatred between different groups, and disturbing public peace.

"This was not the intention at all. They have completely stretched it," Singhvi exclaimed.

Today, the bench promptly acknowledged and issued notice on Pawan Khera's plea. When Abhishek Manu Singhvi requested that the ongoing trial involving the Congress spokesperson be halted, Justice Gavai responded by saying, "Issue notice on interim relief."

Congress leader and spokesperson Pawan Khera became embroiled in a controversy due to his statement referring to 'Narendra Gautam Das Modi' during a press conference in February this year. This incident resulted in the filing of multiple first information reports against him, leading to his arrest by the Assam police in the same month. Khera is now facing charges under various sections, including 153A (promoting communal enmity), 153B (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 500 (defamation), 504 (insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Case Details - Pawan Khera v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr.