No Intent to Insult: Delhi Court Rejects FIR Plea Against Rekha Gupta
A Delhi court refused to order an FIR against CM Rekha Gupta, ruling her comparison of officials to Lord Hanuman lacked malicious intent.
A Delhi court has declined a request to direct the registration of an FIR against Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta following a controversy over her remarks involving Lord Hanuman. The court observed that there was no prima facie evidence of a deliberate or malicious intention to insult religious beliefs in the CM's speech.
The Core of the Controversy
The legal battle began when complainant Ram Niwas Sharma approached the court under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Sharma alleged that during an official government event held at the Kashmere Gate ISBT on September 23, 2025, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made remarks that mocked Lord Hanuman while addressing the public and government staff.
Specifically, the complainant claimed that Gupta compared Delhi government officials to Lord Hanuman and referenced the incident of Hanuman’s tail being set on fire. According to the plea, this was intended to suggest that officials only remember their powers when they are under pressure, an act which the complainant argued intentionally hurt the religious sentiments of Hindu devotees.
Court's Observation on Intent
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ashwani Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Courts examined the application and the evidence provided. The court noted that the essential ingredients of an offence under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—which deals with malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings—were not present in this case.
The court clarified that the comparison made by the Chief Minister appeared to be directed toward the performance and conduct of government officials rather than being an attack on faith. The judge highlighted that the transcript and video of the speech were already available, meaning no further police investigation was required to collect evidence.
"The evidence which has allegedly hurt the religious feelings of the complainant is already on record," the court observed, noting that the complainant failed to show any evidence that was beyond his reach and necessitated a police probe.
Police Report Supports the CM
The Delhi Police filed an Action Taken Report which further cleared the Chief Minister. The police stated that when the complete video of the speech was viewed in its entirety, rather than in isolated clips, it became clear that Rekha Gupta was actually appreciating the commitment of government employees.
The report emphasized that Gupta compared the officials positively with Lord Hanuman and even expressed her respect for the deity, stating that government works were being completed with his blessings. Consequently, the police concluded there was no intent to ridicule the deity or hurt devotees.
The Final Verdict
The court ruled that the power to direct an FIR should be reserved for serious allegations where custodial interrogation or the recovery of hidden facts is necessary. Since the speech was public and the intent did not seem malicious, the application was dismissed.
While the plea for an FIR was rejected, the court granted the complainant the liberty to lead evidence in accordance with Section 223 of the BNSS.