The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti seeking the transfer of a case against him for allegedly making disparaging remarks about the condition of hospitals and schools in Uttar Pradesh.
Bharti requested that the case, currently being heard by the additional chief judicial magistrate in Sultanpur, be moved to the Rouse Avenue Courts in New Delhi.
A bench consisting of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar denied Bharti’s request to relocate the case. However, the court allowed Bharti the option to petition the trial court to permit him to appear via video conferencing for the proceedings. Previously, on July 3 of last year, the Supreme Court had issued an interim stay on the proceedings in the Sultanpur court as Bharti sought relief through his petition.
This transfer request was initially filed on April 10 last year, prompting the Supreme Court to issue a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and place a temporary hold on the Sultanpur proceedings. Bharti argued that the case in Sultanpur and another in Rae Bareli had been filed out of “political vengeance,” maintaining that his remarks were part of a critique rather than a deliberate insult.
The controversy arose when Bharti made critical remarks about local hospitals and schools while addressing the press during a visit to Amethi on January 10, 2021.
Following his statements, an FIR was filed by Amethi resident Somnath Sahu at the Jagdishpur police station. Authorities in Amethi and Rae Bareli both registered cases against the AAP leader.
With the Supreme Court’s decision, Bharti now faces the continuation of proceedings in Sultanpur. However, the permission to request virtual appearances could ease logistical challenges for the AAP leader, who would otherwise need to travel regularly from Delhi to Sultanpur.
