Freedom of speech doesn't cover abusing Prime Minister: Allahabad High Court
Allegation in the First Information Report was that highly derogatory remarks were made by the petitioner Mumtaz Mansoori from his Facebook ID against the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other Ministers of the Government of India.
Refusing to quash a First Information Report (FIR) against one Mumtaz Mansoori who had allegedly put up a Facebook post referred to the Prime Minister and Home Minister as "dog", the Allahabad High Court observed,
"Although (the) Constitution of this country recognizes freedom of speech with every citizen but such right does not extend to hurling abuses or making derogatory remarks against any citizen much less the Prime Minister or other Ministers of the Government of India."
The bench of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Rajendra Kumar held that the First Information Report clearly disclosed the commissioning of cognizable offence.
"We find no good ground to interfere in the present writ petition filed with a prayer to quash such First Information Report," Court concluded.
Therefore, dismissing Mansoori's plea with the prayer to quash the FIR, Court said that authorities shall be at liberty to proceed in the matter in accordance with law and conclude the investigation at the earliest.
An FIR was filed against Mansoori to quash the First Information Report, registered as Case Crime No. 26 of 2020, under Section 504 IPC and Section 67 IT Act, Police Station Meerganj, District Jaunpur against him.
The allegation in the First Information Report was that highly derogatory remarks were made by Mansoori from his Facebook ID against the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other Ministers of Government of India.
Case Title: Mumtaz Mansoori v. State of UP & 2 ors