India's Supreme Court has extended the interim protection to former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma from coercive action till the probe into her controversial remarks about Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is concluded by the Delhi Police, reports The Daily Star.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala on Wednesday directed the clubbing and transfer of all present and future FIRs lodged across the country against Sharma to Delhi Police in connection with her remark on the Prophet (PBUH) made during a TV news channel debate, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) of the Delhi Police is conducting a probe into Sharma's remarks.
The bench said IFSO would be at liberty to take assistance from other police forces to take the case to a logical end.
"Since this court has already taken cognizance of the serious threat to life and security of the petitioner (Sharma), we direct that all FIRs against Nupur Sharma be transferred and clubbed for the investigation to the Delhi Police.
"In particular facts and circumstances, we clarify and deem it appropriate that the investigation is carried out by Delhi police. The petitioner shall be at liberty to pursue her rights and remedies by approaching Delhi High Court for quashing the current and future FIRs," the bench said.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Sharma, submitted that she was receiving summons from the West Bengal government despite the apex court order.
The apex court rejected a plea by senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the West Bengal government, seeking an investigation by a court-appointed special investigation team.
Sharma's remark on the Prophet (PBUH) during a TV debate triggered huge protests in and outside India and drew official protests from several Islamic countries.
The BJP subsequently suspended her from the party.
On July 19, the apex court granted interim protection from arrest till August 10 to Sharma in connection with the FIRs filed against her.
On July 1, the same bench of the top court slammed Sharma for her controversial comments against the Prophet (PUBH) saying her "loose tongue" has "set the entire country on fire" and that she is "single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country".
