Thread by @LiveLawIndia

#SupremeCourt to hear shortly the petition filed BJP UP Spokesperson Prashant Umrao challenging the Madras HC's pre-arrest bail condition that he should appear before police for 15 days in the criminal case for allegedly spreading fake news about attacks against Bihari migrants

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Pankaj Mithal will also hear another petition filed by Prashant Umrao seeking clubbing of multiple FIRs registered by Tamil Nadu police over his tweets.

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Matter taken.

Senior Adv Siddharth Luthra for petitioner : State has multiple FIRs. I have got protection in one FIR. If I appear before police as per bail condition, I will be arrested in other FIRs.

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Luthra : On the very same tweet which I have deleted, they have registered multiple FIRs. This is the reason. I have filed the writ.

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Luthra : There was a tweet by various media agencies. I tweeted. Then there was an inaccuracy and I deleted the tweet on realising that. Now there are multiple FIRs harassing the young man.

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Luthra : This was by various news agencies (reads reports of some agencies about attacks of Biharis in Tamil Nadu). I made a tweet. (15 people were hanged for speaking in Hindi). I deleted. They registered an FIR.

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Luthra : Now there are multiple FIRs and they will arrest and taken me to several places and I will become like an animal in a circus ring. I deleted the tweet when I realised the error.

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Luthra : Within 12 hours I deleted the tweet when I came to know the error.

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Senior Adv Mukul Rohatgi for Tamil Nadu.

Justice BR Gavai to Rohatgi : Why should we be so sensitive?

Rohatgi : What is wrong with the condition? It is only to appear for questioning.

Justice Gavai : What investigation for 15 days for 5 hours daily?

Rohatgi : He has not appeared even once. He also has to give an affidavit which he has not.

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Rohatgi : He should at least comply with the other conditions. Why hasn't he filed the affidavit till today?

Justice Gavai : That condition we will not interfere. But to appear for 5 hours for 15 day...

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Justice Gavai to Luthra : Why can't you appear for once?

Luthra : If I appear they will arrest in other cases.

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Bench dictates the order.

"Condition requiring the petitioner to report to police station between 10.30 AM to 5.30 PM for 15 days is modified. He shall appear on Monday 10 AM and thereafter as and when required by the IO".

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Rohatgi says there is no other FIR in which Prashant Umrao is named.

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Bench issues notice on the writ petition. Passes ad-interim order that the anticipatory bail granted by the HC would be applicable to any other FIR registered in the State of Tamil Nadu with respect to the same cause of action.

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Justice Gavai : We don't know why people become so fussy these days?

Rohatgi : Look at his tweet. He is a lawyer. A lawyer is saying Hindi speaking people are attacked in Tamil Nadu. For a lawyer to say that...

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Justice Gavai : What is his standing in the bar?

Bench is told that he has 7 years standing and is Standing Counsel for Goa.

Justice Gavai : He (Prashant Umrao) should be more responsible.

Luthra : I myself told him that.

Justice Gavai (to Prashant Umrao) : Before the next date, you tender an apology.

Luthra (Prashant's lawyer) : I will tender an apology.

#SupremeCourt #TamilNadu

Breaking: Spreading fake news about attacks against Bihari migrants: Supreme Court Asks BJP UP Spokesperson Prashant Umrao To Tender Apology