Supreme Court dismisses YouTuber plea for clubbing fake-video FIRs

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition by YouTuber Manish Kashyap seeking interim protection from arrest and clubbing of several FIRs lodged against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu for circulating alleged fake videos about attacks on Bihari migrant workers in the southern state.
Kashyap had also challenged invocation of the National Security Act against him by the TN government. Appearing for him, senior advocate Maninder Singh attempted to show that at least five FIRs are of the same nature and could be clubbed with the first one related to alleged fake video circulation case in Bihar.
Bihar government opposed the plea for clubbing of the three FIRs registered against Kashyap in the state and accusing him of being a habitual troublemaker. Supporting the Bihar government, TN’s counsel Kapil Sibal said three of the six FIRs lodged in TN are of similar nature and that the state would club them together. However, he said the other three are for distinct offences and should go on separately. He also informed the court that the state advisory board has confirmed the invocation of NSA against Kashyap.
A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, after hearing counsel, told Kashyap, “We cannot be seen lending an ear to a person who is accused of attempting to create trouble (through social media posts) in a stable state like Tamil Nadu.”
In its order, the bench said, “We are not inclined to exercise the jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution. The petition is accordingly dismissed. However, the petitioner will be at liberty to pursue his remedies in accordance with law, including in respect of the order of detention under the National Security Act, 1980.”