The Supreme Court continued monitoring the Noida hate crime investigation and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to complete the chargesheet sanction process within four weeks

The Supreme Court on Tuesday decided to continue monitoring the Uttar Pradesh Police's investigation into the alleged hate crime against a Muslim cleric in Noida, observing that the investigation had finally begun to make progress.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta directed that the process for obtaining government sanction on the chargesheet be completed within four weeks, after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) K.M. Nataraj informed the Court that the investigating agency had already forwarded the chargesheet to the competent authority for approval.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner submitted that nearly five years had elapsed since the incident and pointed out that the departmental inquiry against the concerned officials remained pending.


The petitioner also sought compensation, relying on the Supreme Court's judgment laying down guidelines to address hate crimes.

Taking note of the submissions, the Bench remarked that "things have at least started to move" and declined to dispose of the petition at this stage, holding that continued judicial oversight was necessary.

The Supreme Court directed that the sanction process be completed within the stipulated period and listed the matter for further hearing on August 17.

Background of the Case

Earlier, the State had conceded before the Court that relevant provisions dealing with religious hate speech had not been included in the FIR. The Court had then directed the addition of Sections 153B and 295A IPC. During the hearing, ASG KM Nataraj, appearing for the State, submitted that permission had been sought for further investigation in the matter.

However, counsel for Sherwani had informed the bench that Section 153B had once again been dropped, despite the Court’s earlier directions. The submission prompted a sharp response from the bench. 

“They were clear observations, Mr. Nataraj. Why is your investigating officer playing hide and seek with the Court? Can you back out from 153B?” the bench asked.

In response, Nataraj stated that the provision could be added at the stage of filing the chargesheet. The petitioner’s counsel further alleged that material portions of Sherwani’s statement had been deliberately omitted, including details beyond the removal of his cap.

Taking note of the submissions, the Court indicated its displeasure with the manner in which the investigation was being conducted and called for accountability from the officers involved. “You call this ACP who has given this report. Let him come and explain why is he doing all this,” the bench had remarked.

In its order, the Court recorded that it was “not satisfied” with the compliance affidavit filed by the State in response to its earlier order dated February 16, 2026. While the bench initially expressed its inclination to summon the investigating officer, it refrained from doing so at this stage on the request of the State.

Granting a final opportunity, the Court allowed two weeks’ time to the respondents to ensure full compliance with its earlier directions and listed the matter for further hearing on May 19.

Before concluding, the bench cautioned the State’s counsel to advise the concerned officers appropriately. “We have no pleasure in calling them. But unnecessarily if they invite that…,” the Court observed.

Previously, in February, while the Supreme Court had recently reserved orders in a batch of petitions concerning hate speech, it chose to keep the present case pending, observing that it raised distinct issues.

On the last hearing, Appearing for the Centre, ASG KM Nataraj had submitted that the matter had lost its significance as a trial was already underway. “Now the trial is going on, nothing may survive in this matter,” he argued.

Case Title: Kazeem Ahmad Sherwani v. State of Uttar Pradesh

Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta

Hearing Date: July 14, 2026

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