Court Relief: Criminal proceedings against paediatrician Dr Kafeel Khan quashed
Allahabad: In a major development regarding Dr Kafeel Khan case, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday quashed the criminal proceedings against the paediatrician and set aside a charge sheet and cognizance order passed against the doctor as there was no sanction from the Government regarding the same.
Such observations on the part of the High Court has come after a single-judge bench of Justice Gautam Chaudhary noted that the requisite sanction was not taken by district magistrate from central and state governments under Section 196(A) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
However, he made it clear that the charge sheet and its cognisance may be taken by the court after the mandatory sanction is granted by the central as well as the state governments, reports PTI.
Also Read: Dr Kafeel Khan under UP police radar, included in list of history-sheeters in Gorakhpur
The charge sheet and cognisance order was passed against Khan by the Aligarh Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in a case wherein Khan had allegedly delivered an inflammatory speech during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at AMU in 2019.
Following the event, an FIR was lodged against Khan under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 505(2) (statement creating or promoting, enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and 109 (abetment of offence) of the IPC.
Consequently, he was arrested. Police submitted the charge sheet before the Aligarh court on March 16, 2020 and the Chief Judicial Magistrate took its cognisance on July 28, 2020. Khan then filed a petition challenging it.
According to Section 196(A) of the CrPC, no court shall take cognisance of any offence under Section 153A of the IPC, except with the previous sanction of the central government or state government or the district magistrate.
Reacting to the development, Dr Kafeel Khan said, "This is a big victory for the people of India and restores our faith in judiciary."
"Yogi Adityanath government's high-handedness towards people of Uttar Pradesh has been completely exposed by this ruling of the honorable Allahabad High Court," he said.
"We also hope this brave judgment will give hope to all pro-democracy citizens and activists languishing in jails across India. Long live Indian democracy," he added.
Also Read: Revoke suspension of Dr Kafeel Khan: Indian Academy of Pediatrics appeals UP govt
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.