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On Friday, a Supreme Court Bench of Justice M.R. Shah and Justice Krishna Murari directed all interim orders to continue, as contended by Senior Counsel Neeraj Kishan Kaul in the Times Now anchor, Navika Kumar's matter.

The pertinent matter was related to the Times Now anchor Navika Kumar, where quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against her in different States in connection with the remarks made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad was sought for.

The Counsel referred to Nupur Sharma case, where it was stated that all interim orders would continue, and the same to be applied here as well. However, the Supreme Court questioned the respondents (original petitioners) the rationale of multiple FIRs from the same cause. And whether their FIR had something new. 

Previously, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli had earlier directed the authorities not to take any coercive steps against the Times Now Anchor in the FIRs/Complaints and the future FIRs/Complaints pertaining to the telecast of Gyanvapi debate dated May 26, 2022, which resulted in the Nupur Sharma controversy.

The court issued notice in the matter and directed that all the States be served. 

The court was hearing a plea, filed by Times Now News Anchor Navika Kumar seeking direction to quash various FIRs registered against her throughout India, pertaining to the TIMES NOW TV Debate telecasted on May 26, 2022, with Nupur Sharma. The television anchor has been charged in relation to remarks made by Nupur Sharma, former BJP spokeswoman, against Prophet Muhammad during the debate hosted by Navika Kumar.

Kumar has asked for the cases to be dismissed or combined and sent to one State. FIRs against her have been filed in States including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Appearing for Kumar, Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi argued that she was merely a host and had in fact doused the fire when the controversy erupted. Appearing for the State of West Bengal, Menaka Gurusamy, Sr. Adv, submitted that the first FIR was filed in the State of West Bengal. Rohatgi, retorted to this saying, "What is the extra interest of the State of West Bengal? This speaks volumes!!"

The bench, on hearing the submissions, passed the abovesaid order. 

The apex court, on July, 19, 2022 issued notice in a plea by Nupur Sharma after the first information reports (FIRs) were filed against her in various areas of the nation for her comments regarding Prophet Muhammad.

The court had also directed that no coercive action be taken against Sharma in present FIRs or complaints as well as in FIRs/ complaints which may be registered/entertained in future pertaining to the telecast dated May 26, 2022. However, on July 1, 2022, the apex court refused to entertain the plea, which resulted in the plea being withdrawn.