Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Upholds Clean‑Chit for Thakur, Verma
The Supreme Court of India said it would not look again at a decision that cleared two politicians, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma, from hate‑speech charges.
The court said the speeches they gave in 2020 did not hurt anyone or start violence.
It also explained that the police can start an investigation without needing special permission first.
Politicians from the CPI(M) party had asked the court to change the earlier decision, but the court said it was right.
The ruling shows how the court decides what is a crime and how investigations should start.
Supreme Court dismissed a review petition seeking to overturn its April 29 order clearing Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma of hate‑speech allegations.
The court reaffirmed that the alleged speeches did not constitute a cognisable offence and did not incite violence or public disorder.
The decision clarified that prior sanction under the Code of Criminal Procedure is required only for taking cognisance, not for registering an FIR or initiating investigation.
CPI(M) leaders Brinda Karat and K M Tiwari filed the review petition after the Delhi High Court denied registration of FIRs against the leaders.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the judiciary cannot create new offences or expand criminal liability through its directions.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, Brinda Karat, K M Tiwari
- What
- Dismissed review petition and upheld earlier order clearing Thakur and Verma of hate speech allegations
- When
- July 29, 2023 (review dismissal), April 29, 2023 (original order)
- Where
- Supreme Court, New Delhi
- Why
- Court found no error, no cognisable offence, and clarified prior sanction is only for taking cognisance
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Decision Date
- July 29, 2023
- Previous Order Date
- April 29, 2023
- Key Parties
- Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, Brinda Karat, K M Tiwari
- Legal Issue
- Hate speech allegations and prior sanction under CrPC
