Supreme Court directs cartoonist Hemant Malviya to apologise on social media for caricature of RSS and PM Modi

The Supreme Court has directed cartoonist Hemant Malviya to publish an apology on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms for a caricature depicting the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Bench ordered Malviya to publish the apology within 10 days and extended his interim protection from arrest.

The case arose from an FIR alleging the cartoon was derogatory and violated laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act.

Malviya said the cartoon was a satirical commentary on COVID-19 vaccine debates. The Supreme Court previously expressed concern over offensive online speech, including by lawyers.

[Hemant Malviya v State of Madhya Pradesh]