'You can't create disquiet in a stable state like Tamil Nadu': SC dismisses Bihar YouTuber Manish Kashyap's plea in fake video circulation case

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha and Justice JB Pardiwala also dismissed Kashyap's plea seeking to club the FIRs against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu in the case. .

Patna: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petition by Bihar YouTuber Manish Kashyap challenging the National Security Act against him for circulation of fake videos of “attacks” on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu telling him that he “cannot create disquiet in a stable state like Tamil Nadu”. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha and Justice JB Pardiwala also dismissed Kashyap's plea seeking to club the FIRs against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu in the case.

The apex court however allowed Kashyap to move to the concerned High Court in the matter. "We are not inclined to entertain the plea," the bench said while rejecting the submissions of senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Kashyap. The SC hearing comes four days after a court in Tamil Nadu's Madurai extended the judicial custody of Kashyap till May 17. Kashyap is currently lodged at Madurai Central Jail. He was arrested on Mar. 18 this year after he surrendered at Jagdishpur Police station in West Champaran district of Bihar for allegedly circulating fake videos of “attacks” on Bihar labourers in Tamil Nadu.

Later, he was brought to Tamil Nadu where the Tamil Nadu police invoked the stringent National Security Act against him. Several cases have been registered against Manish Kashyap in Bihar and Tamil Nadu. Six FIRs have been registered in Tamil Nadu and three in Bihar against Manish for allegedly circulating fake videos of “attacks” on migrant workers from Bihar in Tamil Nadu.

The Supreme Court on May 21 had issued notices to the Tamil Nadu and Bihar governments on a petition challenging Manish's detention under the National Security Act. Replying to the summons, the Tamil Nadu government on Apr. 8 told the apex court that the FIRs against Kashyap were not politically motivated saying that Kashyap had “disturbed public order and national integrity" by circulating fake videos of migrant labourers being attacked in the state.

The MK Stalin further opposed a plea filed by Kashyap seeking to club the FIRs lodged against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu saying he “cannot seek the shelter of the umbrella of constitutional rights”. The state government said that Kashyap “attempted to instigate violence between Bihari migrant labourers and the people of Tamil Nadu through false and unverified videos”.

The Supreme Court had on April 11 issued notice to the Centre, the Tamil Nadu and Bihar governments on Kashyap's plea seeking clubbing of the FIRs lodged against him and their transfer to his native state.