Won't hear activist Harsh Mander until he clarifies his alleged 'justice on street' remark: SC

During a hearing of a petition against hate speech by BJP leaders in Delhi, the Supreme Court Wednesday asked activist Harsh Mander if he had made remarks against the top court. The court said it won't hear him unless he clarifies on the matter. Mander's counsel, however, denied that he made any such statement. The apex court's reaction came after a video of Mander speech went viral in which he is allegedly saying "there is no trust left in the courts and that ultimate justice has to be on the streets".

Mander had filed a petition seeking registration of FIRs against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Sahib Singh and Abhay Verma for their alleged hate speeches in the run-up to the Delhi assembly elections.

The top court declined to hear Mander's petition after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta produced transcripts of his reported speech at Jamia.

"Many have violated the majesty of law. Are you also one of them? Chief Justice of India SA Bobde asked Mander's lawyer Karuna Nundy as the Supreme Court made it clear that he won't be heard today. Mehta also cited an old plea by Mander in which he had called upon Supreme Court judges to show loyalty to the nation.

On CJI's reaction, Mander's advocate Nundy sought time to verify the alleged hate speech, but SG Mehta said this is strange that he wants time for verifying his own speech but wants FIRs against everyone immediately.

(Inputs from indianexpress.com)