The Supreme Court is hearing a plea by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking to reinstate her earlier petition in which she had prayed that the first information reports (FIRs) registered against her in different parts of the country for her remarks on Prophet Muhammad, be transferred to Delhi.

Sharma sought to renew her plea that was withdrawn after the Supreme Court had on July 1 refused to entertain it, while coming down heavily on her.

In her plea seeking to pursue her earlier petition, she has contended that due to the top court's remarks against her, she is facing threats to life from fringe elements.

The plea is being heard by the same bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala, which had refused to entertain the plea on the earlier occasion.

Live updates from the hearing below.

The case will be taken up today, after Justice Surya Kant and Pardiwala have wrapped up the proceedings in their respective courts.

Justice Surya Kant is currently on a bench with Justices DY Chandrachud & AS Bopanna.

Justice JB Pardiwala is also on a different bench with Justice Abhay S Oka.

The cases are likely to conclude by 3pm, and the hearing in this case will commence post that.

Both the judges have finished their respective courts. Now the bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala will assemble to hear the case.

Justice Kant: Yes, Mr Maninder Singh.

Senior Advocate Singh: There is real threat to life. There are reports that someone was travelling from Pakistan to kill her and some were apprehended in Patna who were planning to execute me.

Supreme Court: The events which you are mentioning now are after filing the miscellaneous application.

Sr Adv Singh: Yes, it is continuous. How do I travel to every court and seek redressal.

Supreme Court: We never wanted you to go everywhere. Maybe we could not convey this or you did not..

Sr Adv Singh: Apologise.

Sr Adv Singh: There are ever increasing serious threat to life. We have seen in past how these situations pan out. Whatever has happened has happened. I had to withdraw... now another 3 to 4 FIRs have been registered. You are protector of Article 21.

Justice Kant: Your impression of going to different High Courts... Now you explain it is nearly impossible for you and there is threat to life.. but you understand that you have to go to one place of your choice..

Justice Kant: Will you be willing to go to Delhi High Court subject to what opposite party says?

Sr Adv Singh: Yes, of course. I have handed over the orders passed by you earlier. It has been held that first FIR is allowed to go on and others are stayed and new ones are also stayed.

Sr Adv Singh: Please see another order passed in similar circumstances. Here in this case Nagpur was directed to be transferred to Bombay...

Supreme Court: On the same analogy you want to be allowed to challenge all FIRs in Delhi

Sr Adv Singh: All other FIRs has to be stayed as criminal allegation is the same, since same telecast is the subject matter.

Sr Adv Singh: Please see another order by another bench of this court. It had granted the ad interim relief where proceedings in similar FIRs were stayed.

Sr Adv Singh: As per TT Antony, there can be only one FIR for the same cause of offence.

Justice Kant: Our main concern is you were relegated to avail alternate remedy. How have you pointed that the developments is causing problem in pursuing those remedies?

Justice Kant: Our main concern is that you should not be deprived of your right of alternate remedy and develop modalities.

Supreme Court order: The petitioner had approached this court to quash all FIRs registered against her. Since her prayer of quashing can be granted by High Court in exercise of powers under Article 226, this court on 1.7.2022 relegated petitioner to avail alternate remedy

The petitioner has now filed a miscellaneous application pointing out inter alia that it has become impossible for her to avail the alternate remedy granted by this court and that there is an imminent necessity to protect her life and liberty as guaranteed under article 21.

Supreme Court order: In support, the petitioner in the Miscellaneous application has stated that after July 1 order of this court, various incidents like threats like one by Salman Chishti claiming to be Khadim of Ajmer Dargah has called upon people against the petitioner .... and another from UP has made a viral video threatening to behead her.

Another FIR has been registered against her in West Bengal and Kolkata police has issued look out circular which will lead to immediate arrest and consequential denial of relief by not approaching High Court.

Supreme Court: Senior Advocate Maninder Singh has submitted two more instances of serious threats to the life of the petitioner. These have taken place after filing the MA in court. We permit to file additional affidavit giving specific details of these instances.

BREAKING

Supreme Court: In light of these instances the court is looking at how will petitioner avail alternate remedy. In order to explore such modality let notice be issued to respondents.

This matter be listed on August 10, 2022. Copies of main writ be also forwarded along with notice to respondents. Serve through dasti notice and through standing counsels.

Supreme Court: Meanwhile as an interim measure it is directed that no coercive shall be taken against Nupur Sharma pursuant to the impugned FIRs.

Sr Adv Singh: But new FIRs are being registered, and say they will pick her up.

Supreme Court: No coercive action to be taken against present or future FIRs in relation to the same telecast.

Supreme Court: In the next hearing we will say that Delhi High court may.. of course subject to listening to the other side.

Sr Adv Singh: We will serve all the counsels.. and we are grateful to Your Lordships.