Karnataka Court Halts Proceedings Against Writer Chakravarthi Sulibele Over Alleged Anti-Muslim Remarks

The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted the proceedings of an FIR against writer and activist Chakravarthi Sulibele. He was accused of making inflammatory, anti-Muslim remarks about Muslim girls during a public event in Dharwad. The court noted that the case requires detailed consideration and granted a stay on the FIR pending further hearing.

The FIR was registered under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which prohibits promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, etc. Sulibele's plea argued that there was an inordinate delay in registering the FIR and no preliminary enquiry was conducted. It also contended that the statements made were protected speech under Article 19(1)(a) and that the complainant was not an aggrieved person.

On May 7, 2026, the court allowed Sulibele's interim relief petition, staying the FIR against him. The case will be heard again at a later date. The state has been granted time to file objections in the meantime. The case is titled 'Chakravarthy Sulibeli @ Mithun Chakravarthy Devidas Shet v. State of Karnataka' and the case number is Crl. Pet. No. 959 /2026.