SC quashes criminal proceedings against activist for calling Congress President as 'Ayogya'

A bench of Justices allowed a plea filed by Mithun Chakravarthy Devidas Shet against the Karnataka High Court's September 27, 2024, rejecting his plea.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against an activist for penal provisions for calling Congress president Mallikarjun Khadge as 'Ayogya' in a speech.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh allowed a plea filed by Mithun Chakravarthy Devidas Shet against the Karnataka High Court's September 27, 2024, rejecting his plea.

The petitioner contended the High Court quashed the charges under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act but has erred in keeping the charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) alive for investigation on an erroneous interpretation of the word “Ayogya” as “Rascal”.

His plea stated the word “Ayogya” has several synonyms and one of the closest meaning is ‘worthless’ and the High Court has erred in choosing the meaning only as ‘rascal’. 

It also stated the High Court has erred in not appreciating that the ingredients of Sections 153-A, 153-B and 505 of the IPC are not fulfilled in the facts and circumstances of the present case.

On January 18, 2024, the petitioner herein delivered a speech in a programme at Siravara of Raichur district organised by “Yuva Brigade” and used a word “Ayogya” during his address. 

On January 20, 2024, the police lodged the FIR on a complaint filed by Jagadev Guttedar Kalagi, Congress party's Kalaburgi president.

Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam and advocates Sudhanshu Prakash Suyog Herele appeared for the petitioner in the matter.