Bombay HC Transfers Sanatan Sanstha Defamation Case to Kolhapur Citing Safety Concerns

Quick Summary

• The Bombay High Court has transferred five defamation suits filed by Goa-based Sanatan Sanstha against rationalist hamid Dabholkar, journalist Nikhil Wagle, and others from Ponda Civil Court in Goa to the Civil Judge (Senior Division) in Kolhapur.
• Justice N.J. Jamadar cited concerns regarding the applicants’ safety and likelihood of receiving a fair trial in Ponda due to past violence against critics of Sanatan Sanstha’s ideology.
• The suits where filed between 2017-2018 over statements linking the organisation and its members to the murders of rationalists Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, M.M.Kalburgi, and journalist Gauri Lankesh.
• Applicants argued they faced intimidation in Ponda; Mr. Hamid Dabholkar has been provided ‘X’ category police security due to threats. Mr. Wagle also reported violent calls following his criticism of the organisation.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Bombay High Court’s decision prioritizes judiciary impartiality and addresses safety concerns for individuals critical of a powerful ideological group. This transfer reflects increasing scrutiny on incidents where free speech collides with organized resistance from groups sensitive to public criticism.

While such cases are pivotal for defending democratic principles like freedom of expression,their handling underscores India’s broader challenges surrounding dissent suppression when linked to activist work or ideological debates. Notably, balancing organizational reputation claims with protecting individual rights remains crucial as societal tensions rise amid ideological divides.

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