While hearing a batch of petitions to curb hate speeches, the Supreme Court issued notice to the States of Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Nagaland to determine if they have appointed nodal officers in terms of the 2018 judgment in the Tehseen Poonawalla case to deal with hate crimes and mob violence.
The Court issued notice to these States after the Union Government informed that they have not responded to the Union’s letter regarding the compliance with Tehseen Poonawalla judgment. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj told a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti that pursuant to an earlier direction of the Court, the Union has filed a status report collating information from the States. As per the status report, 28 States/Union Territories have appointed nodal officers in terms of the 2018 judgment.
The States of West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Nagaland have not responded to the Union’s letter and hence there is no clarity regarding their compliance, the ASG said.
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