A Jharkhand-based tribal group failed to get AajTak TV news Consulting Editor Sudhir Choudhary arrested under SC/ ST Act. 

The Supreme Court has granted protection from his arrest in connection with an FIR lodged by this tribal group in Ranchi for allegedly making “ objectionable remarks” after ex-CM Hemant Soren had “ gone missing” in Delhi and later he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on February 1. 

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Sudhir Choudhary, had submitted SLP before a bench of Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra that his client - a journalist-was facing the threat of arrest.  

Luthra argued that there was no offence under the SC/ST Act evident in Sudhir Choudhary’s broadcast on ex-CM Hemant Soren or anybody else connected with him. 

The tribal group had filed the FIR against Choudhary concerning his alleged “ remarks” against the tribal community before or after Soren’s arrest. 

The SC bench remarked that the Jharkhand High Court should have provided protection in the matter and ordered that the pending further orders, “ no coercive steps should be taken against the petitioner- Sudhir Choudhary. 

The top court issued notices to the state police and others, including complainant, regarding the plea filed by Sudhir Choudhary.

Choudhary had filed a special leave petition before the SC, challenging the decision of the Jharkhand High Court which had declined to stay the proceedings against him.