A Delhi Court slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on Congress leader Shashi Tharoor MP over his repeated non-appearance in the defamation case filed by BJP leader Rajiv Babbar. The case was filed by Babber over Tharoor’s infamous “Scorpion sitting on a Shivling” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vishal Pahuja strongly directed Tharoor to appear before the court on the next date of hearing on March 4.
“I am a devotee of Lord Shiva…. However, the accused (Tharoor) completely disregarded the sentiments of crores of Shiva devotees, (and) made the statement which hurt the sentiments of all Lord Shiva devotees, both in India and outside the country,” the complaint said.
“The complainant’s religious sentiments were hurt and the accused deliberately did this malicious act, intending to outrage the religious feelings of Lord Shiva devotees by insulting their religious belief,” it adds.
Tharoor made the controversial comment in 2018 at the Bengaluru Literature festival. He termed it an “extraordinarily striking metaphor”. He was granted bail in the case in June on a personal bond of ₹20,000 after he appeared before the court and moved an application.
Following his non-appearance, the court had issued a bailable warrant against Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor for his non-appearance in the court in the criminal defamation.
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