Karnataka HC gives Sudhir Chaudhary temporary protection from arrest in case of promoting hatred

The court, however, did not grant interim stay on the investigation in the FIR registered at Seshadripuram police station in Bengaluru. The complaint was filed by an official of Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation against Chaudhary for “conspiring to disrupt communal harmony” in the show hosted by him on the Aaj Tak channel.

Justice Hemant Chandangoudar said the case did not require custodial interrogation of the news anchor since the materials in the case are in public domain. On September 20, the court will decide whether a prima facie case of promoting hatred can be made out against the TV anchor for a programme aired on September 11.

According to the complaint, in the show Chaudhary had alleged that a Karnataka government scheme — offering subsidies to the members of minority communities to buy commercial vehicles — was restricted to Muslims and not extended to the majority community.

An advertisement published in a newspaper about the scheme had triggered a row as BJP MPs alleged that the scheme highlighted “minority appeasement” under the Congress rule, even as the government maintained that the scheme has been in existence for several years under different development corporations meant for the welfare of various communities.

Similar schemes existed for other groups too, the government said, adding that the subsidy scheme for minorities existed even under BJP rule in Karnataka.

In the show, Chaudhary allegedly claimed that subsidies were being provided only to minorities in Karnataka and not to Hindus, the FIR said. “The show claimed that the scheme meted out injustice to poor Hindus in the state and conspired to disturb communal harmony in the state,” according to the FIR.

While Chaudhary is accused number one in the case, Chief Editor of Aaj Tak and organiser of Aaj Tak are accused number two and three, respectively.

After the show was aired, Karnataka IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge had tweeted that the show was “deliberate and malicious” and the government would take necessary action.

The decision to file an FIR against the anchor was criticised by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who accused the Karnataka government of going on a “witch hunt” against the anchor for asking legitimate questions about implementation of a government scheme.

“This state led witch-hunt is a direct assault on the freedom of press. Whether it’s political opponents or independent media that ask uncomfortable questions, the Congress Govt is going after everyone by abusing the law,” he said in a post on X.