NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday redirected petitioners seeking to initiate a First Information Report (FIR) against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for alleged hate speech to the Gauhati High Court. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed reluctance to invoke Article 32 of the Constitution, emphasizing that the petitioners should utilize the appropriate legal channels within state jurisdiction.

During the proceedings, the Chief Justice voiced concern over the growing trend of petitioners approaching the Supreme Court directly, effectively bypassing High Courts. "All these issues can be effectively adjudicated by the jurisdictional High Court. We see no reason to entertain this here," stated Justice Kant. He urged the Chief Justice of the High Court to expedite the hearing of the case.

The bench's decision comes amidst rising tensions in political discourse ahead of elections, with Justice Kant alluding to the Supreme Court becoming a "political battleground" whenever elections approach. He appealed to political parties for respectful and restrained engagement, noting that this issue involves not only the commission of offenses but also the violation of oaths of office by public officials.

Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing some of the petitioners, argued that the case warranted intervention under Article 32, claiming the High Court may not offer an adequate remedy, given the gravity of the allegations against Sarma. He labeled the Chief Minister a "habitual offender" and contended that the constitutional fabric of the country was at stake.

Justice Kant countered Singhvi's arguments, stating the importance of High Courts in maintaining judicial integrity and expressing frustration over what he described as systematic attempts to undermine their authority. He reiterated that petitioners should respect established judicial processes and trust state High Courts to handle such matters appropriately.

The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the petitions, sending them to the jurisdictional High Court and emphasizing the need for respect within the legal framework of India's judicial system.