Thread by @LawBeatInd

Supreme Court to hear a plea by cartoonist Hemant Malviya, accused of drawing a caricature showing the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak (RSS) and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in an undignified manner.

Bench: Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria

In July the Court had granted anticipatory bail to the Cartoonist. Malviya had also tendered an apology, through his Counsel, Advocate Vrinda Grover for the posts and stated that he would delete the same.

Matter taken up.

Advocate Vrinda Grover appears for Hemant Malviya.

Grover: In conformity with the earlier order, i have placed the apology both in English translation that would be on record. I’ve also served the other side. I want to supplement it with a statement that I’m making. I am not very advected to technology either.

Grover for Malviya: I am making a statement that it would be deleted from all social media accounts, although the case pertains to the Facebook post. I will publish this apology on my social media account. I have never been summoned to join the investigation even once, because there is no recovery, there is nothing.

Courts asks the ASG appearing for State of MP: Have you seen that?

ASG KM Natraj: Yes, i have seen. I think let him publish it in all the social media. In all the investigation, whatever is going on, he should cooperate.

Grover: I will upload it today itself.

Court Order: The fact that investigation is on going, the deletion of the relevant piece of evidence is not permitted at this stage. As such, he seeks for the apology which has been intended before this court being uploaded. The same should be uploaded on Facebook and Instagram account or any other social media account of the petitioner with 1 week. Not only posting, but reposting on social media should also not be done. Protection to continue.