Priya Gour
Published on: 23 August, 2022 at 19:02 IST
While looking into the issue of multiple FIRs registered against Marathi actress Ketaki Chitale for alleged objectionable posts made by her on social media against the Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar, the Bombay High Court has decided to hear them all together.
The bench was led by Justices Nitin Jamdar and Nitin Borkar. It had issued orders for the transfer of the FIRs to Kalwa Police Station in Thane district (where the first FIR was registered).
Similar FIRs against Nashik resident Nikhil Bhamre were together transferred by the court to Naupada Police Station.
About the Matter:
The accused, Chitale and Bhamre, had filed a writ petition before the court, seeking to have their FIR quashed and some other relief. Their petitions also challenged their arrest and detention by police.
The first FIR against Chitale as well as Bhamre was lodged in May against their objectionable posts against Sharad Pawar. However, they were granted bail by lower courts in Thane and released.
The court issued notices to advocates to be present and sought their response for clubbing of the FIRs against the two accused.
The advocates submitted that it was the court’s discretion to do so and take a decision and, requested the court to hear the accused for the quash of the FIR against them.
The Chief Public Prosecutor relied upon the Supreme Court guidelines in the Amish Devgan case. It was ordered by the Comet that in cases of multiple FIRs, the rest be considered as statements under Section 164 CrPC. Only the first FIR should be considered and heard.
Thus, the bench decided to combine all the FIRs against the 2 accused. Bhamre was ordered to amend the petition since he requested prosecution of the police officers, who allegedly wrongly arrested him. Also, applications by some complainants for cancellation of the bail granted to Chitale and Bhamre was rejected by the court.
Thereby, the bench has decided to club the FIRs lodged against the accused in the respective cities.