The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the petitioners who were seeking an FIR against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a viral video purportedly showing him taking aim and firing with a rifle at members of a particular community, saying they should not undermine constitutional courts.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also observed a “disturbing trend" and said, “Whenever there is an election in some state, this court becomes a political battleground."

The bench sent the matter to the Guwahati High Court. “Please come to us via the constitutionally prescribed route," it added.

The pleas alleged that the chief minister has repeatedly made statements that incite discrimination, social and economic boycott and violence against Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam.

It is alleged that the chief minister promoted enmity and hatred on grounds of religion, language, place of birth and residence in his public speeches and media interactions.

The plea said the chief minister allegedly used expressions such as “Miya" and “Bangladeshi" against Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam.

Source: News18