New Delhi, March 5 -- The Supreme Court has held using terms such as "miyan-tiyan" and "Pakistani" was not an offence of hurting religious sentiments though made in poor taste. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma therefore discharged a man in a criminal case filed by an Urdu translator and acting clerk Right to Information (RTI) in the sub-divisional office, Chas in Jharkhand.

The February 11 court order said, "The appellant is accused of hurting the religious feelings of the informant by calling him 'miyan-tiyan' and 'Pakistani'. Undoubtedly, the statements made are poor taste. However, it does not amount to hurting the religious sentiments of the informant. Hence, we are of the opinion that the appellant shall a...