2020 ‘communal remarks’ case against Kapil Mishra: Delhi court to hear arguments on charge

The matter has now been listed on April 8. After arguments on charge are concluded, and if charges are framed against Mishra, he will have a chance to plead guilty or not guilty. If he chooses the latter, the trial will begin in the case.

Earlier in March, Special Judge Jitendra Singh of Rouse Avenue Court had pointed out that “the word Pakistan” was “very skillfully woven” by Mishra to “promote enmity on the grounds of religion” and “spew hatred” to “garner votes” in 2020. Judge Singh had dismissed a revision petition moved by Mishra against the summons issued to him by a Magistrate Court in relation to the case.

The case, lodged under Section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the RPA, pertains to allegations that Mishra made objectionable statements in the electronic media in 2020 like “Delhi mein chhote chhote Pakistan bane (there are mini Pakistans in Delhi)” and “Shaheen Bagh mein Pak ki entry (Pakistan has entered Shaheen Bagh)”.

The case also pertained to a social media post by Mishra that there will be an “India vs Pakistan” contest on the “streets of Delhi” on February 8, the day of the elections in 2020.

Challenging the dismissal of his revision petition, Mishra had also moved the Delhi High Court which, on Tuesday, refused his request to stay the trial proceedings against him.

Mishra had moved the revision petition before Judge Singh on July 20, 2024, a month after he was summoned by the court of then Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot.