Pressmediaofindia
Related Articles
Hyderabad, Sept 10 (Ali Abbas-PMI) The Telangana High Court has quashed three FIRs registered against BRS social media activist Nalla Balu alias Durgam Shashidhar Goud, holding that political speech — even if harsh or offensive — is constitutionally protected.
Justice N Tukaramji, delivering the order on Wednesday, struck down FIRs filed by police in Ramagundam, Karimnagar and GDK-I Town over a series of posts critical of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the ruling Congress government. One of the posts read: “No Vision, No Mission, Only 20% Commission! This is how the 15-month rule of the Revanth Reddy-led Congress Government is in Telangana.”
The Court emphasised that the criminal process must not be invoked mechanically or arbitrarily to suppress free expression. It also issued operational guidelines for police and magistrates while handling social media–related cases.
According to the ruling, before registering an FIR for alleged defamation or similar offences, police must verify whether the complainant qualifies as the “person aggrieved.” Complaints by unrelated third parties will not be maintainable, except in cases involving cognizable offences.
Legal experts say the judgment sets an important precedent, balancing protection of fundamental rights with prevention of misuse of criminal law in politically sensitive matters.(pressmediaofindia.com)
