SC transfers nationwide FIRs against Nupur Sharma to Delhi in Prophet row

New Delhi: The top court clubbed and transferred the cases on Wednesday, despite stiff opposition from the West Bengal government. In its submission, West Bengal asked the apex court to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) comprising police officers from various states and allow it to be a court-monitored probe.

However, the bench opined that it would be inappropriate for the top court to monitor the probe and further gave Nupur Sharma the liberty to approach the Delhi High Court for quashing of the pending FIRs or any fresh one that may be filed in connection with her remarks.

On 19 July, the top court had granted Sharma protection from arrest in the nine cases filed against her across the country.

But before that, on 1 July, the Supreme Court severely criticised Sharma for her comments, saying her “loose tongue” had set the entire nation on fire and that she was “single-handedly responsible for what was happening in the country”.

Sharma had withdrawn her plea that day after the court rejected her request to transfer the FIRs.

But after the top court’s rap, Sharma pleaded that “fringe elements” had renewed their warnings to her life and had also issued rape threats.

Sharma requested the apex court to transfer all FIRs to Delhi since the first one was filed in the capital.