Apex Court asks activist Harsh Mander to respond to allegations of hate speeches

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked activist Harsh Mander to file response to the allegations of Delhi Police that he made hate speeches including certain objectionable remarks against the top court during anti-CAA protests here.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai, made clear however that it has not issued a contempt notice to Mander on the plea of Delhi Police alleging "derogatory remarks", making insinuations against the apex court and its judges and said that the plea would now be heard on April 15. Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the activist, alleged that the government was trying to "brow beat" Mander and there was nothing "objectionable" and "contemptuous" in his speeches.

"There is nothing contemptuous, disparaging or inflammatory in his speeches", Dave said, adding, "I am concerned that the Government is willing to shoot the messenger, while not taking action against the real perpetrators".

At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, referred to another speech of Mander and said its contents are also "contemptuous".

The bench then asked the top law officer to file the contents of the other speech also by filing another affidavit which can be responded to by Mander as well. "You (Mander) can file a reply to the affidavit (of Delhi police)," the bench said, adding that the matter can be referred to some other bench if the nine-judge bench hearing the Sabarimala review could not conclude the hearing by April 15.

Verbal exchanges took place during the hearing between Dave, representing Mander, and the law officer who opposed advancing of arguments by another senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan in favour of the activist.