Anthem case: HC146;s I-Day gift for Murthy

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday quashed the proceedings, including the summons issued, in a complaint against Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy for alleged violation of the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act 1971 during a programme held on April 8 at the Infosys Mysore campus.

Justice K Bhaktavatsala quashed the proceedings taken up against Murthy by a magistrate court on the basis of a complaint filed by a member of the Karnataka Vakkilara Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada lawyers forum, stating that Murthy8217;s actions did not amount to violation of the Act.

Murthy had challenged the summons issued by the magistrate court. As per the complaint, Murthy, after a function featuring the then President Abdul Kalam, had said that the national anthem was not sung but instead, an instrumental version was played at the programme to avoid embarrassment to foreigners present at the campus. He had subsequently apologised.