New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to consider listing a plea filed by Left leaders seeking action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a video showing him aiming a rifle and firing toward members of a Muslim community.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria, took note of submissions made by advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for leaders from the CPI and CPI(M). The bench said it would examine the request and decide a hearing date.
Pasha told the court complaints were already submitted to authorities regarding speeches and actions of the Assam Chief Minister. He said no first information report followed. He described the video as disturbing and said it showed a sitting chief minister shooting toward members of a particular community. He sought urgent judicial intervention.
The Chief Justice referred to the rise in political disputes reaching the apex court during election periods. He said the court would review the plea and issue further directions after examination.
The controversy relates to a video shared on February seven by the Assam BJP on its official social media handle. The clip showed Sarma taking aim with a rifle and firing toward two individuals. One appeared to wear a skull cap. The other had a beard. The video drew sharp reactions across political circles and among civil rights groups.
Critics accused the ruling party of promoting violence and communal hostility. Following public backlash, the video was removed from the platform.
The petitioners argued visuals of this nature from a constitutional authority risk deepening social divides and demand legal scrutiny. They urged the court to ensure accountability under law. No response from the Assam Chief Minister appeared on record at the time of reporting.
