In a major reprieve to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Patna high court on Monday stayed the proceedings against him in a subordinate court charging him with "making anti-Bihari statement".
Justice Sima Ali Khan stayed the proceedings of Bettiah chief judicial magistrate after hearing a petition filed on behalf of the chief minister by senior advocate and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravishankar Prasad.
The court, however, asked the complainant Murad Ali to clarify his stand in the case through affidavit.
Prasad said Chouhan had already clarified his stand in his statement where he denied having made any remarks against Biharis.
Chief judicial magistrate (Bettiah) had on November 11 ordered registration of a case against Chouhan in connection with the complaint filed by Ali.
Ali in his petition had accused the MP chief minister of "having hurt sentiments of Biharis" by making a statement in Satna on November 6, 2009, regarding jobs in Madhya Pradesh.