Contempt plea update: Amita Sachdeva v Udhayanidhi Stalin | http://Conmt.Pet.(C) 1235/2023* _LiveLaw report | Fresh IA filed May 2026_ *1. What’s the new application about* An *Interlocutory Application* has been filed in the pending contempt petition flagging Udhayanidhi Stalin’s *May 12, 2026* remarks in TN Assembly.

*Contempt plea update: Amita Sachdeva v Udhayanidhi Stalin | http://Conmt.Pet.(C) 1235/2023*
_LiveLaw report | Fresh IA filed May 2026_

*1. What’s the new application about*
An *Interlocutory Application* has been filed in the pending contempt petition flagging Udhayanidhi Stalin’s *May 12, 2026* remarks in TN Assembly.

*Impugned statement*: _“Sanatana Dharma, which divides people, must certainly be abolished.”_

*Applicant’s case*:
1. Made during _“first session of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly”_ after 2026 elections.
2. Alleged _“wilful disregard of judicial process”_ because SC had earlier expressed disapproval of similar 2023 remarks.
3. Contempt arises from _Shaheen Abdulla v Union of India_ where SC mandated *suo motu FIRs in hate speech cases*. Petitioner Amita Sachdeva says police didn’t act against Stalin despite that mandate.

*2. Case background*
*Sept 2, 2023*: At ‘Sanatana Dharma Eradication Conference’, Udhayanidhi said: _“Sanatana Dharma is like mosquitoes, dengue, fever, malaria, and coronavirus… should not only be opposed but eliminated.”_

*Fallout*:
1. *Multiple FIRs* in UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, J&K, TN.
2. *Writ petitions* in SC seeking criminal action.
3. *Madras HC* in 2024: Asked _“what research he had done to understand ‘Sanatana Dharma’ before making controversial remarks”_. Also called it _“perverse, divisive… alarming lack of understanding of Hinduism”_.
4. *Jan 20, 2026*: Madurai Bench held remarks _“amounted to ‘hate speech’”_ – _“Sanatana ozhippu”_ means eradication, not just opposition.

*3. SC proceedings so far*
1. *Stalin’s plea*: Filed writ petition seeking consolidation of FIRs.
2. *SC relief*:
– *Aug 14, 2024*: Orally said cases _“will have to be shifted outside State”_. Exempted from personal appearance.
– *Mar 4, 2025*: Bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna rebuked: _“You are not a layman. You are a Minister… should have realised consequences”_. SG Tushar Mehta: _“What would happen if CM of another State said Islam is to be eradicated”_.
– *2025 order*: _“No further FIR/complaint shall be filed against him without its permission”_.
3. *Contempt petition*: Admitted *April 29, 2026* by Bench of *Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, Vijay Bishnoi*. Alleges police inaction on hate speech despite _Shaheen Abdulla_ directions.

*4. Fresh IA – key points*
1. *New material*: May 12, 2026 Assembly speech repeating call to _“abolish/eradicate Sanatan Dharma”_.
2. *Argument*: _“Despite pendency of proceedings… and Court’s earlier observations expressing disapproval… Stalin has allegedly continued to make similar statements”_.
3. *Relief sought*: Court to take note of continuing statements as contempt/violation of _Shaheen Abdulla_ mandate.

*Next date*: _“The matter will be considered on May 19”_ 2026.

*5. Other Madras HC challenges*
Separate writs questioned _“on what basis Stalin continues to hold public office despite his controversial remarks”_. HC asked him to produce research basis for understanding Sanatana Dharma.

*Bottom line*: The contempt case against Udhayanidhi just got fresh ammunition. Despite SC’s Mar 2025 rebuke and protection from new FIRs, he repeated _“Sanatana Dharma must be abolished”_ in Assembly on May 12. Petitioner says this flouts SC’s hate-speech FIR mandate from _Shaheen Abdulla_. Bench to hear May 19 whether this amounts to contempt.

Want the full IA text or summary of _Shaheen Abdulla_ hate-speech guidelines?