Supreme Court issues notice on contempt of court plea against Yati Narsinghanand

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Synopsis

While giving his consent last year to initiate contempt proceedings, the Attorney General stated the statement made by Yati Narsinganand, that, "Those who believe in this system, in these politicians, in the Supreme Court, and in the Army will all die the death of a dog” was a direct attempt to lower the authority of the Supreme Court in the minds of the general public.

The Supreme Court today issued notice in a contempt plea filed against Yati Narsinghanand over his allegedly “derogatory remarks” about the Supreme Court of India and the Constitution of India.

A division bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh has issued notice in the plea by activist Shachi Nelli and has sought a response as well.

In January 2022, the then Attorney General of India KK Venugopal had granted consent for initiating contempt proceedings against Narsinghanand in terms of Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 read with Rule 3(a) of the Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of the Supreme Court of India, 1975.

Said consent was granted after a letter by activist Shachi Nelli was sent to AG where she sought to initiate contempt against Yati Narsinghanand for his statements in an interview that went viral on the social media platform Twitter on the 14th of January, 2022.

The letter written by the activist stated that in an interview to one Vishal Singh the Yati Narsinghanand, “who has been making headlines because of his anti-Muslims hate speeches - has gone on to make his contempt for the apex court and the Constitution of India clear.”

The letter mentioned that on being asked about the court proceedings in the Haridwar Hate Speech case, Yati Narshinghanand remarked that,

"We have no trust in the Supreme Court of India and the Constitution. The Constitution will consume the 100 crore Hindus of this country. Those who believe in this Constitution will be killed. Those who believe in this system, in these politicians, in the Supreme Court, and in the Army will all die the death of a dog."

Further, the letter has referred to another clip from the same conversation, where Yati Narsinghanand when asked about the arrest made by the police in the case, said that,

"When Jitendra Singh Tyagi went by the name Wasim Rizvi and wrote his book, not a single policeman, not one of these "hijde' policeman or politician had the courage to arrest him."

As per the letter addressed to AG, the comments made by Yati Narsinghanand are trying to undermine the majesty of the institution and the authority vested in the Supreme Court of India, and is a vile and clear attempt at interfering in the course of justice by means of abusive rhetoric and baseless attacks on the integrity of the Constitution and the Courts.

"Any such attempt to harm the majesty of the institution and diminish the faith that citizens of India have in the Court can result in complete chaos and anarchy. This is perhaps the most vicious attack on the Supreme Court in its history,” the letter stated.

"The Supreme Court of India is the first interpreter and the guardian of the Constitution of India. It is appalling to see the lack of faith and sheer contempt being expressed towards the fundamental frameworks of this country. The intent to undermine the Court and its capacity to dispense justice is evident,” the letter mentioned.

Case Title: Shachi Nelli vs. Yati Narsinghanand