Times Network Group Editor Navika Kumar (Source: Facebook)The Supreme Court on Friday directed the clubbing of all FIRs registered against Times Network group editor Navika Kumar in connection with a TV show in which former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma had made certain controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
A bench presided by Justice M R Shah said all FIRs will be tagged with the one registered by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) of the Delhi Police. If any FIR is registered in the future, that too will be tagged with the Delhi one.
The court also granted Navika Kumar protection from arrest for eight weeks and said she could approach the Delhi High Court with her prayer for getting the FIRs quashed. Kumar had moved the Supreme Court after FIRs were lodged in some states, including Maharashtra and West Bengal, in connection with the show telecast on May 26, 2022.
Issuing notice on her plea on August 10, the court had provided her protection from arrest. Appearing for Navika Kumar, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi told the court then that she had only anchored the show and that the “anchor said nothing. Debate was about Gyanvapi. Suddenly one contestant started speaking, the other contestant retorted”. He added that she had in fact tried to douse the fire by saying we have to go by the Constitution.
Rohatgi also pointed out that Nupur Sharma, who is facing different FIRs, has been given protection, and added that many FIRs have been filed in several states against Kumar too. “I face five or six FIRs in Kolkata alone…,” he submitted, adding that the first was in Delhi. He said the Supreme Court had in the T T Antony case ruled against a second FIR on the same cause of action.