The Supreme Court of India has heard a petition by the Government of India to stay a decision on the constitutional validity of Section 124A under the Indian Penal Code. The central government had sought time to review the sedition law that came into existence during the British colonial rule in India.
Here are the big things related to today’s hearing
-While several factors were discussed during this hearing, the top court has asked the central government to file a reply within the next twenty-four hours on the suggestion of filing a reply. treason cases Postponed till re-examination.
The Supreme Court also asked the Center to provide information on pending cases under the sedition law and how the government would deal with these cases. The matter is listed for tomorrow, May 11.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also agreed to defer a judgment on penal law from the colonial era and sought response from the Center on safeguarding the interests of citizens till the penal law on sedition is reconsidered.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Supreme Court that the sedition law needs to be reconsidered at the executive level, citing the sovereignty and integrity of the country. He formally sought deferment of the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the sedition law.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal opposed the plea, saying the court’s exercise could not be stopped as it would take time for the legislature to reconsider six months or a year and in turn ask the court to examine the constitutional validity of the sedition law. said.
-The Supreme Court asked the central government how much time it needed to reconsider the sedition law, to which Tushar Mehta replied that the review is under process. The Supreme Court suggested the Center to complete the work of reviewing the sedition law in 3-4 months.
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said, “The Centre’s affidavit states that the Prime Minister is aware of the issues relating to civil liberties and is of the view that by the time of the 75th year of independence, the nation will release the colonial burden including old wants. Colonial law.”
The Supreme Court also told the Center that there are concerns of misuse of the sedition law and the Attorney General himself had said that such cases are coming to the fore due to chanting of Hanuman Chalisa. The court further said, “The affidavit itself states that there has been misuse of law, how will you address it?”
SC asks the Center why it does not direct the state governments to keep the matter under 124A adjourned till the Center completes the process of reconsideration.
-SC asks Centre, “Who is dealing with sedition law at the grassroots level? Police officers, local police stations etc. Why can’t you instruct them to keep the proceedings adjourned till your re-examination process of the law is over “