Student’s Case Quashed for Raising Slogans Against Central Government and BJP on Flight
Madurai – The High Court has dismissed the case against student Sophia, who raised slogans against the central government and the BJP on a flight where Telangana Governor and Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan was also traveling.
The incident took place when Tamilisai Soundarrajan, who was the Tamil Nadu BJP president in 2018, was traveling from Chennai to Tuticorin on a flight. Sophia, a student from Tuticorin who was on the same flight, raised slogans against the Central Government and the BJP, initiating an argument between Tamilisai and Sophia at the airport. Subsequently, a case was registered against Sophia by the Thoothukudi police based on a complaint filed by Tamilisai.
Sophia filed a petition in the High Court seeking the cancellation of the case. In her petition, she stated, “Tamilisai was also on the flight I traveled on. When disembarking the plane, I raised slogans criticizing the central government. Tamilisai became angry and threatened me, using inappropriate language. Even those accompanying him treated me harshly. However, a case has been filed against me. I request that the case be quashed.”
Initially included as a respondent in the case, Tamilisai was replaced by the Director of Tuticorin Airport after assuming the role of Governor. Later, Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP president, joined the case and petitioned for the case to be dismissed.
In the High Court hearing of Sophia’s petition, Judge B. Dhanapal presided. Additional Criminal Advocate RM Anpunidi argued, “The Thoothukudi police registered the case against the petitioner using a law available only to the Chennai city police. Thoothukudi police do not have the authority to register a case under this section. It is beyond their jurisdiction.”
Taking these arguments into account, the judge ordered the cancellation of the case registered against Sophia by the Thoothukudi police.
The decision of the High Court to quash the case has been met with mixed reactions. While some hail it as a victory for freedom of speech and expression, others argue that raising slogans against political figures in a public setting should be met with consequences. Regardless, this ruling sets an important precedent in addressing cases of this nature and ensuring that the appropriate jurisdictions are adhered to.