SC's reprieve for Narendra Modi

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to direct registration of criminal cases against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal for alleged inflammatory speeches against minorities.

A Bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat, however, said that it was leaving the option of approaching the magistrate concerned for recording the FIR against two leaders to the aggrieved individuals.

As regards the allegations, the prior sanction was required for prosecuting the chief minister, the apex court said that the investigating agency if it so desires can make the plea with the government which should be considered within three months.

The PIL was filed by prominent Ad Guru Aleque Padamsee alleging that Modi and Singhal made highly inflammatory speeches against the minorities, which created a communal tension in the country.

According to the petitioner, the local police failed to register any case against the accused due to political pressure.