New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted protection to suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma from arrest in multiple FIRs.

The SC was hearing a plea moved by her seeking a stay on her possible arrest and clubbing nine cases filed against her statements on Muhammad.

On Tuesday, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala

issued notice to all respondents including various states where FIRs have been registered in the case, and also to the Union of India. The bench said, meanwhile, as an interim measure, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner.

“In light of recent events, the concern of the court is as to how can the petitioner avail the legal remedy. To explore the possibility… Let notice be issued to the respondents. The matter was posted for hearing on August 10. Copies of the main writ petition shall also be supplied to the respondents,” said the bench.

Court noted that the Article 32 jurisdiction of the court was invoked to get the relief of clubbing of cases. Since the above prayer for quashing of FIRs can be exercised by HC in its power under CrPC, this court on July 1 asked the petitioner to take the alternative remedy.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala issued notice on Sharma's plea to quash the FIRs or in the alternative club different FIRs and transfer the same to Delhi.

"This matter be listed on August 10, 2022. Copies of the main writ be also forwarded along with notice to respondents. Serve through dasti notice and standing counsel. Meanwhile, as an interim measure it is directed that no coercive shall be taken against Nupur Sharma," the bench ordered.

The Court said that it will explore the option of allowing Sharma to move one of the High Courts to quash all FIRs.

"The petitioner had approached this court to quash all FIRs registered against her. Since her prayer of quashing can be granted by High Court in the exercise of powers under Article 226, this court on July 1, 2022, relegated the petitioner to avail alternate remedy. The petitioner has now filed a miscellaneous application pointing out inter alia that it has become impossible for her to avail of the alternate remedy granted by this court and that there is an imminent necessity to protect her life and liberty as guaranteed under article 21," the Court noted in its order.

The petitioner has now filed this Modification Application pointing out that it has become impossible for her to avail of this remedy and there is an imminent necessity for intervention of this Court to protect her life and liberty. In support of her plea, the petitioner has averred that after our orders, various incidents including threats (SC notes Chisti’s remarks wherein he asked for a cutting of the petitioner’s throat). The court said that SC also notes the video of another person who abused her and gave life threats.

Nupur Sharma has sought direction to club all the FIRs registered against her across the country through a petition. She said that after the top court’s strong criticism of her, the fringe elements have renewed their threat to her life and also given rape threats.

Sharma had requested the apex court that since the first FIR against her was registered in Delhi, all FIRs at other places be clubbed with Delhi FIR.