The Karnataka High Court was approached with a plea by singer Sonu Nigam seeking quashing of an FIR registered over his alleged objectionable remarks during a Bengaluru concert, where he was asked to sing Kannada songs.
The controversy arose during a live concert held in Bengaluru, where Sonu Nigam was performing. According to the complaint, when a section of the audience requested him to sing in Kannada, the singer allegedly responded in a manner perceived as derogatory and inflammatory. Following this, a complaint was filed by a representative of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada organisation, alleging that Nigam's comments had caused deep distress within the Kannadiga community and mischaracterised them as intolerant and violent.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered at Avalahalli Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, specifically Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation), Section 352(1) (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and Section 353 (statements conducing to public mischief).
In his petition, Sonu Nigam has challenged the maintainability of the complaint dated May 2, 2025, and has sought quashing of the FIR registered the following day. The plea also includes a prayer for interim relief, urging the High Court to stay all further proceedings and investigation arising from the impugned FIR.
The petitioner has further submitted that his remarks were misconstrued and that there was no intention to provoke or malign any community. He later issued a video statement on social media, offering clarification regarding the events at the concert and defending his conduct.
The matter was heard by the vacation bench of Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar on May 13, 2025. After preliminary submissions, the Court directed that the matter be listed for further hearing on May 15, 2025.
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