SC quashes criminal case against Chakravarthy Sulibele for calling Mallikarjun Kharge ‘Ayogya’
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a criminal case filed by Karnataka Police against right-wing orator and writer Chakravarthy Sulibele, who had referred to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as ‘Ayogya’ during a public speech.
The order was passed by a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh.
Sulibele had made the remark in January 2024 while addressing a public gathering in Raichur, where he described Kharge using the term ‘Ayogya’. Following the speech, Jagadev Guttedar Kalagi, president of the Kalaburagi Congress unit, filed a complaint accusing Sulibele of using the term to incite hatred and violence against Kharge’s community. Subsequently, the Karnataka Police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Challenging the case, Sulibele moved the Karnataka High Court. In October 2024, the High Court quashed the charges filed under the SC/ST Act but allowed the investigation under IPC provisions to continue.
Sulibele then approached the Supreme Court. In his petition, he argued that the High Court had wrongly interpreted the word ‘Ayogya’ as ‘rascal’. He contended that ‘Ayogya’ has several meanings in Indian languages, and the closest interpretation would be ‘inefficient’ or ‘incompetent’, not a derogatory or caste-based insult.
The Supreme Court, after examining the arguments, quashed the entire case, providing relief to Sulibele.
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Mangaluru’s Karavali Utsava is back; Cultural, beach events lined up, here’s the complete schedule
Mangaluru: This year’s Karavali Utsava will commence on December 20, with a wide range of cultural, adventure, and tourism-focused programs planned across Mangaluru and other parts of the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said.
He was speaking while presiding over a Karavali Utsava preparedness review meeting held at the District Commissioner’s office.
The main event will be held at the Karavali Utsava grounds in the city. In an effort to promote beach tourism, special programs will be organised at six beaches across the district, which include Panambur, Ullal, Someshwara, Sasihitlu, Tannirbhavi, and the Blue Flag Beach.
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Outlining the schedule, the Deputy Commissioner said adventure sports will be held at Sasihitlu Beach, while a wine, cheese, and cake festival will take place at the Tannirbhavi Blue Flag Beach.
A music festival and triathlon are planned at Tannirbhavi Beach. Football, volleyball and other sports events will be organised at Ullal Beach, cultural programs at Panambur Beach, and a music evening and yoga program at Someshwara Beach.
In addition, food festivals featuring a variety of local and regional cuisines will be held at all beaches. The Kala Parba program and a flower and floriculture exhibition will be organised at Kadri Park, while a film festival is also planned in Mangaluru city.
A football tournament will be held at Nehru Maidan on December 27 and 28, and special programs will be organised at Pilikula Nisargadhama. To attract tourists, helicopter joyrides have also been arranged, the Deputy Commissioner said.
The review meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narvade Vinayak Karbari, Mangaluru Deputy Divisional Officer Meenakshi Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mithun H.N., Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony Mariappa, and other officials.
