NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned to April 1, the petition filed by the accused, Udhayanidhi Stalin seeking clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against him in several states -- Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Karnataka -- over his alleged remarks on 'Sanatan Dharma' remark.
Udhayanidhi Stalin had in September last year in one of his speeches compared 'Sanatana Dharma' to diseases like 'malaria' and 'dengue'. He also advocated for its elimination on grounds that it was rooted in the caste system and historical discrimination.
Following this, several criminal complaints were registered against Udhayanidhi as well as pleas being filed in the Supreme Court seeking action against him.
Today, due to paucity of time, a two-judge bench of the top court, led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, deferred the hearing to April 1.
Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior lawyer and former Solicitor General (SG) of India appearing for Udhayanidhi Stalin, pleaded that he is not justifying Stalin's comments at all.
"I'm not saying one word on merits (of the case), I'm not justifying or criticising. Let the merits of the case not affect the plea for clubbing of the FIRs," Singhvi had told the top court during the hearing on March 4.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports of Tamil Nadu, is a well known film actor and son of Chief Minister and DMK chief M K Stalin.
