What Supreme Court says?
What Supreme Court says?The Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated the FIR filed against Telugu actor Mohan Babu and his son Vishnu Vardhan Babu in a 2019 case related to organising a rally and allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct. The case pertains to a university rally regarding the release of funds by the government.
A bench in the court led by Justice BV Nagarathna set aside the judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had refused to quash the proceedings, stating that there were no tenable grounds to continue the case.
According to the prosecution in the court, in 2019, Mohan Babu—Chairman of Sri Vidyaniketan Educational Institutions in A. Rangampet Village, Chandragiri Mandal—along with others, gathered staff and students to conduct a rally from the university premises towards Tirupati–Madanapalli Road. The group allegedly raised slogans against the then-ruling government of Andhra Pradesh for not granting students’ fee reimbursements to their institutions.
The protest, which reportedly took place between 8:30 am and 12:30 pm, allegedly obstructed the free flow of traffic and caused inconvenience and risk to the public, despite the Election Commission of India’s Model Code of Conduct and Prohibitory Orders being in force.
The petitioners argued that multiple representations were made to the government for the release of reimbursement funds, but no action was taken, leading to the peaceful protest. They contended that the Model Code of Conduct could not be applied to them as they were not contesting in the 2019 Assembly Election nor aiding any political party.
However, the prosecution claimed that the entire incident was videographed and that there were specific overt acts attributed to the petitioners. It was further alleged that the public and vehicles were restrained for four hours, and that the actions of the petitioners amounted to cognisable offences.
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has quashed the FIR filed against veteran actor and former MP Mohan Babu in connection with a student fee protest rally held several years ago. The case had drawn public attention due to Mohan Babu’s prominent involvement and the nature of the protest, which aimed to highlight irregularities and delays in the reimbursement of student fees under a government scheme.
Andhra Pradesh protests, no court hears!
The protest, which took place in Andhra Pradesh, saw students and supporters taking to the streets, with Mohan Babu leading the charge. At the time, the authorities booked him under charges of unlawful assembly and breach of peace. The FIR alleged that the rally caused disruption to public order.
However, Mohan Babu consistently maintained that the protest was peaceful and intended to bring attention to a pressing educational issue affecting thousands of students, especially those from economically weaker sections. He had also stated that his intention was not to defy the law but to stand with students whose future was at stake.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling, observed that the right to protest peacefully is a constitutional right and that mere participation in a peaceful rally does not amount to criminal conduct. It emphasized that criminal law should not be used to stifle democratic expression.
The cancellation of the FIR by the court comes as a relief for the actor and is being seen as a victory for the right to peaceful protest. Legal experts have welcomed the judgment, saying it reinforces the principle that dissent, when non-violent, is a protected right in any democracy.
Mohan Babu has expressed gratitude toward the judiciary and reiterated his commitment to social causes and education reforms in the court.
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has quashed the FIR filed against veteran actor and former MP Mohan Babu in connection with a student fee protest rally held several years ago. The case had drawn public attention due to Mohan Babu’s prominent involvement and the nature of the protest, which aimed to highlight irregularities and delays in the reimbursement of student fees under a government scheme.
The protest, which took place in Andhra Pradesh, saw students and supporters taking to the streets, with Mohan Babu leading the charge. At the time, the authorities booked him under charges of unlawful assembly and breach of peace. The FIR alleged that the rally caused disruption to public order.
However, Mohan Babu consistently maintained that the protest was peaceful and intended to bring attention to a pressing educational issue affecting thousands of students, especially those from economically weaker sections. He had also stated that his intention was not to defy the law but to stand with students whose future was at stake.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling, observed that the right to protest peacefully is a constitutional right and that mere participation in a peaceful rally does not amount to criminal conduct. It emphasized that criminal law should not be used to stifle democratic expression.
The cancellation of the FIR comes as a relief for the actor and is being seen as a victory for the right to peaceful protest. Legal experts have welcomed the judgment, saying it reinforces the principle that dissent, when non-violent, is a protected right in any democracy.
Mohan Babu has expressed gratitude toward the judiciary and reiterated his commitment to social causes and education reforms. He also added that students deserve timely access to promised government support and that he will continue to be a voice for those without one.
This judgment not only clears Mohan Babu’s name but also sends a broader message — that peaceful activism and citizen engagement remain vital pillars of a functioning democracy, and such efforts should be respected, not penalized.
Supreme Court’s Key Observations
In reviewing the case, the Supreme Court made several key observations:
Right to Protest Peacefully: The bench reiterated that Article 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
No Criminal Intent Found: The court found no evidence suggesting Mohan Babu incited violence or deliberately violated public safety norms.
Use of FIR as Suppression Tool: The court cautioned against the misuse of criminal proceedings to silence dissent or social activism.
The judges concluded that the FIR lacked substantial grounds and should be quashed in the interest of justice, especially since it was filed against a protester advocating for student welfare, not personal gain.
The Supreme Court’s Verdict
After years of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court reviewed the FIR and ruled in Mohan Babu’s favor, quashing the charges. The court reiterated that participating in a peaceful and non-violent protest is a fundamental democratic right enshrined in the Constitution of India.
The court also noted that no violence or public harm was recorded during the protest, and that the actor’s intent was clearly not malicious or disruptive. The judgment is being hailed by civil society organizations as a win for free speech and democratic activism.
Mohan Babu’s Response
Following the court’s decision, Mohan Babu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for upholding justice. In a statement, he said:
“I only stood up for the students who were facing injustice. Their future was at stake, and I couldn’t stay silent. This judgment restores faith in our legal system and reinforces that peaceful protest is a right, not a crime.”
He also reaffirmed his commitment to educational causes and said he would continue supporting students and voicing concerns that affect the youth of the nation.
Why This Matters
This ruling is important not just for Mohan Babu, but for the broader context of civic participation in India. It sends a strong message that raising your voice for public causes, if done peacefully, is not just legal—it is essential for democracy.
The cancellation of the FIR also sets a precedent for similar cases where public personalities or citizens are targeted under vague charges for their involvement in protests or social movements.
Final Word
The cancellation of the FIR against Mohan Babu isn’t just a legal victory—it’s a symbolic one. It reaffirms that standing up for education, fairness, and youth rights is not only lawful but essential in a progressing nation. As India navigates complex political and social challenges, such verdicts provide hope and direction for peaceful civic engagement.
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