Overview

• Justice N. Tukaramji quashed three FIRs against BRS activist Nalla Balu, holding his tweets were protected political criticism that did not meet BNS or IT Act thresholds.
• The court directed police to verify complainants’ locus standi, conduct preliminary inquiries before registering cognisable offences, and apply a high bar for charges tied to incitement or public order.
• Defamation was reaffirmed as a non-cognisable offence requiring a magistrate’s complaint, with the court stressing compliance with Arnesh Kumar safeguards to prevent mechanical arrests.
• Police were told not to register cases mechanically over harsh or offensive political speech and to seek public prosecutor review in sensitive matters, closing frivolous or politically motivated complaints under BNSS.
• In a separate order this week, Justice K. Lakshman quashed three duplicate FIRs against K.T. Rama Rao, as BRS leaders welcome the rulings and prepare petitions for dozens of activists.