The Karnataka High Court has granted relief to singer Sonu Nigam by issuing a stay on any punitive actions against him. This decision is linked to an FIR filed concerning remarks he made during a concert in Bengaluru, prompted by a complaint from a pro-Kannada organization.

Significant Development in Legal Proceedings

In a pivotal ruling, the Karnataka High Court has mandated that no coercive measures be taken against singer Sonu Nigam until the next hearing. The court has also paused the submission of the final report in this case.

During the proceedings, Additional State Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadeesha informed the court that authorities would not pursue strict actions against Nigam as long as he remains cooperative with the ongoing police investigation.

Sonu Nigam’s Request for FIR Quashing

Previously, Sonu Nigam had petitioned the Karnataka High Court to quash the FIR filed against him by the state police. According to reports from news agency IANS, the petition was accepted on Tuesday by a bench led by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar.

Details of the FIR

An FIR was lodged against Sonu Nigam on May 3 in Bengaluru, stemming from a controversial remark he made during a concert on April 27, 2025. The complaint was filed by the pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike at the Avalahalli Police Station.

The FIR cites Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (statements inciting public mischief), and 352(1) (intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace or inciting an offense) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Incident at East Point College Event

During an event at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Bengaluru, Sonu Nigam faced criticism from a fan who aggressively demanded a Kannada song. In response, the singer made a controversial comparison, likening the fan’s attitude to that of the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.

Sonu Nigam’s Remarks on the Incident

Addressing the incident during his performance, Sonu Nigam expressed his discontent over the fan’s rude demand for a Kannada song, describing it as “rudely threatening.” He stated:

“Mujhe accha nahi laga ki waha ek ladka jiski umar, jitni uske umar nahi hogi… use pehle toh main Kannada gaane gaa raha hoon. He was so rudely threatening me, ‘Kannada, Kannada’. Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na? Yahi kaaran hai jo kar rahe ho, jo kiya tha na abhi? Dekho toh kaun saamne khada hai. I love Kannadigas, I love you guys. Main puri duniya mein jaha bhi jata hoon, main humesha bolta hoon… 14,000 ki audience hogi usme ek awaaz aati hai, ‘Kannada’. Toh main unke liye, us ek Kannadiga ke liye main kuch line Kannada mein gaata hoon. Main itni izzat karta hoon aapki, itna pyaar karta hoon. So thoda sa rehna chahiye, aesa nahi karna chahiye aapko.”

His comments ignited backlash from local groups, ultimately resulting in the FIR and subsequent legal actions.