Prominent Indian Supreme Court lawyers, including Prashant Bhushan and Sanjay Hegde, have criticized the Delhi Police for filing an FIR against human rights activist Nadeem Khan, urging authorities to target hate crime perpetrators instead of harassing those documenting injustices. The Delhi Police booked Khan, the General Secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), for an exhibition in Hyderabad highlighting hate crimes and incendiary speeches. Police attempted to arrest him in Bengaluru within hours of registering the FIR, sparking outrage among human rights groups. At a press conference, Bhushan lauded Khan’s activism, accusing authorities of misusing laws to suppress voices exposing communal violence and lynchings, especially in BJP-ruled states.

He called for strict action against officers filing baseless FIRs against activists. Hegde emphasized the importance of constitutional values, pledging to challenge police arbitrariness in courts and public discourse. "We will discuss lynchings, demolitions, and Nadeem’s case. We will fight and win," he declared. The Delhi High Court granted interim protection to Khan, questioning the allegations and emphasizing that freedom of expression is safeguarded under the Constitution. The court observed that the nation’s harmony is resilient and not easily shaken by exhibitions or dissenting voices.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)