The Indian Supreme Court has stayed the arrest of Wajahat Khan in connection with multiple FIRs registered against him in various states over alleged objectionable comments made in old social media posts.
A bench of Justices KV Vishwanathan and N Kotiswar Singh was hearing a plea filed by Khan seeking clubbing of cases registered against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
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Wajahat Khan had earlier filed a complaint against influential person and law student Sharmishtha Panoli, which led to his arrest. He was later granted interim bail. Subsequently, Wajahat Khan himself faced legal action in the form of multiple FIRs in several states.
After hearing senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, the Supreme Court bench granted relief to Khan by staying his arrest in all states except West Bengal, where the original FIR was lodged.
"Hate speeches do not serve us," — Justice KV Vishwanathan
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In a powerful remark during the hearing, Justice Vishwanathan emphasised the gravity of hate speech and its societal impact. He cited an old saying: "Wounds caused by fire may heal, but wounds caused by words do not."
The consideration came after pronouncing the stay order on his arrest.
The bench also took note of an apparent remark made by Khan's counsel during the hearing. Senior advocate Naidu admitted that Khan was "reaping what he sowed", a remark that the court formally recorded in its order.
During the same session, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who was appearing for another case, quoted civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, saying:
"Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can."*
He said such cycles of retaliation could go on endlessly, highlighting the dangerous cycle of hate speech and counter-allegations in the digital age.
The Supreme Court's order provides temporary relief to Khan, while also sending a strong message about the lasting damage words can do and the need for restraint and compassion in public discourse.
Case Title: WAZAHAT KHAN Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(Crl.) No. 247/2025
