The has issued notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a detailed investigation into the background and identity documents of Yogesh Sharma, also known as , the National Co-Convenor of the (CJP).
A businessman approached the court on Friday, seeking directions to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct an immediate, detailed and fair investigation into Das and his parents, news agency PTI reported.
In his petition, Ganesh Kumar alleged that Das’s lineage could be traced to Nepal and argued that the claim required investigation. He contended that if the allegation was found to be true, “he cannot lecture about our government and our judiciary.”
The petitioner also accused Das of “abusing” the judiciary and sought the cancellation of his passport and Aadhaar card if he was found guilty of the alleged violations.
A first bench comprising Chief Justice S A Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan heard the PIL filed by Kumar, a resident of Kancheepuram district. The court ordered notice, returnable by six weeks, to the Union government, the Regional Passport Officer and 10 others.
Kumar also sought directions to the Ministry of Electronics and Telecommunications to block the Twitter and Instagram accounts operating under the name “Saurav Das”.
The petition sought to prevent Das from making further derogatory statements against the judiciary and judges of the Supreme Court.
It also sought an order restraining him from making allegedly defamatory, browbeating, abusive, vulgar, barbaric and disparaging statements against the judiciary, including personal remarks against judges of the Supreme Court, high courts and lower courts.
The petitioner argued that such remarks should not be permitted in the guise of freedom of speech and expression, whether made through traditional media or social media platforms.
He further sought to extend the proposed restraint to statements made through Das’s friends, colleagues, agents or representatives while the case remained pending.
In his petition, Kumar alleged that Das had repeatedly made abusive remarks against the judiciary and claimed that such conduct amounted to an abuse of the Constitution.
He further alleged that if information about Das having Nepali roots was true, Yogesh Sharma had deliberately concealed these details and fraudulently obtained an Aadhaar card, Voter ID card and Indian passport.
The petitioner sought an investigation into how Das obtained these identity documents and the sources of funding allegedly supporting his activities.
He also called for an inquiry into the individuals or entities providing funds to Das and the accounts through which the money was received.
Kumar argued that a detailed investigation into these aspects was necessary in the interest of the nation and accountability.
The allegations and requests form part of the petition before the Madras High Court. The court has issued notice to the respondents, with the matter returnable in six weeks.
