Supreme Court quashes criminal case against activist for calling Mallikarjun Kharge 'Ayogya'

The Supreme Court of India has quashed a criminal case filed against activist Chakravarty Sulibele who was booked last year for calling All India Congress Committee President Mallikarjun Kharge an 'Ayogya' in a public address.

In January 2024, during a public event held in Raichur, Karnataka, Sulibele had used the word “Ayogya” while referring to Kharge. Later Congress Kalaburagi Unit President Jagadev Guttedar Kalagi filed a criminal complaint against Sulibele. It was alleged that Sulibele’s words were aimed at spreading hatred and violence against Kharge’s caste.

Today a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh quashed the entire complaint against Sulibele.

Karnataka police had registered a criminal case against Sulibele for the offences under Sections 153-A ,153B and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 3(2)(v-a) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Sulibele approached the Karnataka High Court which in October 2024 quashed the charged under the SC/ST Act but allowed investigation to continue with under IPC provisions.

Accordingly, Sulibele approached the Supreme Court contending that the High Court had erroneously interpreted the term 'Ayogya' as 'Rascal.'

Case Title: Mithun Chakravarty Devidas Shet vs. State of Karnataka and Anr.

Judgment Date: July 25, 2025

Bench: Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh