The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : National anthem case: High Court stays proceedings against Murthy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

National anthem case: High Court stays proceedings against Murthy

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed all further proceedings by a Mysore Court against N.R. Narayana Murthy, Chief Mentor of Infosys.

In its interim order, the court stayed the proceedings against Mr. Murthy initiated by the 2nd Junior Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mysore, on August 22, 2007, following a complaint by former Minister and Member of Parliament H.N. Nanje Gowda.

In his petition, Mr. Murthy said he has the greatest love for his country and the deepest regard for its national symbols, including the National flag, the National Anthem and the Constitution of India, and the highest respect for the President of India. It is his misfortune that there is a case against him for an offence under Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Mr. Murthy said that the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had arrived at the Infosys campus in Mysore on April 8, 2004, at around 3.30 p.m., and an instrumental version of the National Anthem was played. The gathering that had assembled to hear the President’s address sang the National Anthem to the accompaniment of the instrumental version. On completion of Dr. Kalam’s speech, the instrumental version of the National Anthem was played again. Mr. Murthy said his remarks on the anthem were taken out of context during a press conference. He said Mr. Nanje’s complaint filed against him in Mysore had a number of incorrect statements.

He said a single judge of the Karnataka High Court had earlier quashed proceedings against him initiated by a Bangalore Court on a complaint filed by the Karnataka Vakilara Rakshana Vedike. However, the Mysore judge had failed to consider the High Court order.

Mr. Murthy urged the court to call for the records of the Mysore Court and also quash the order.

He also urged the court to stay all further proceedings pursuant to the August 22 order of the Mysore Court.

Justice Ajit Gunjal stayed all further proceedings and adjourned further hearing on the case.

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