India moves to replace British colonial-era sedition law with its own version
1 year, 7 months ago

India moves to replace British colonial-era sedition law with its own version

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — India’s government proposed legislation Friday in Parliament that seeks to replace a British colonial-era sedition law with its own version. Britain’s rulers in India imposed a law against sedition — actions aimed at encouraging people to be or act against a government — in 1860 to repress freedom fighters. Home Minister Amit Shah said Friday that the bill submitted to India’s lawmakers would repeal the British offense of sedition and introduce a new provision. Chitranshul Sinha, a legal expert, said the government’s proposed provision would punish “acts endangering sovereignty unity and integrity of India.” It carries prison sentence range of seven years to life.

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History of this topic

New law repackaged sedition, should not be used to stifle dissent: High Court
2 months, 3 weeks ago

New law repackaged sedition, should not be used to stifle dissent: High Court

India Today  

The Rajasthan High Court has observed that Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita appears to be reintroducing sedition laws from the scrapped Indian Penal Code and should not be used to cripple legitimate dissent. Justice Arun Monga also pointed out that the BNS provision is similarly worded to the sedition offence originally introduced by the British. The High Court …

Legitimate dissent can’t be equated with sedition: Rajasthan HC
Trending News
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Legitimate dissent can’t be equated with sedition: Rajasthan HC

Hindustan Times  

The Rajasthan High Court, emphasising that legitimate dissent cannot be equated with sedition or anti-national acts, has quashed an FIR registered against Sikh preacher Tejender Pal Singh Timma who was charged under Sections 152 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly endangering India’s unity and sovereignty through social media posts. According to legal news website LiveLaw, the court …

Human Rights Organisations Condemn Criminal Complaint Against Mohammed Zubair
3 months, 1 week ago

Human Rights Organisations Condemn Criminal Complaint Against Mohammed Zubair

The Quint  

The FIR cites seven different legal provisions, including section 66 of the IT Act and different sections of the BNS, the 2023 reform of India’s penal code, which was passed during British colonial rule. Section 152 states that anyone who “excites or attempts to excite, secession or armed rebellion or subversive activities, or encourages feelings of separatist activities or endangers …

New criminal laws, replacing British-era IPC, come into effect from today: 10-point cheat sheet
8 months, 2 weeks ago

New criminal laws, replacing British-era IPC, come into effect from today: 10-point cheat sheet

India TV News  

Three new criminal laws came into effect from Monday across the country, bringing significant reforms to the country's criminal justice system and replacing colonial-era legislation. New criminal laws: Here are 10 key points It is no longer necessary to visit a police station to report an incident, instead, people can now report incidents through electronic communication. Parliament passed new criminal …

DC Edit | Let new criminal laws strengthen democracy
1 year ago

DC Edit | Let new criminal laws strengthen democracy

Deccan Chronicle  

India will soon be witnessing an interesting transformation in an area that touches everyone’s lives — administration of criminal justice. The Union government has notified the three new criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Act, 2023, which will replace Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1974, …

Will new criminal bills turn India into a police state ahead of 2024 vote?
1 year, 2 months ago

Will new criminal bills turn India into a police state ahead of 2024 vote?

Al Jazeera  

India’s parliament passed controversial legislation in December that has raised concerns about civil liberties and surveillance. The new criminal code criminalises an even more vague action – acts that “endanger sovereignty or unity and integrity of India” – to punish offenders with seven years to life in jail. Special offences in ordinary law: The new criminal statutes also incorporate special …

Bar Council of India appreciates the removal of colonial, outdated criminal laws
1 year, 2 months ago

Bar Council of India appreciates the removal of colonial, outdated criminal laws

Op India  

The Bar Council of India acknowledges the positive features embedded in the three Acts–Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita–passed by the Indian Parliament on December 21, 2023, which thereupon received Presidential assent on December 25, 2023 and were published in the official gazette on the same day. Understanding the need for a comprehensive legal framework, …

Revision sans vision: On the three Bills that replace the body of criminal laws in India
1 year, 2 months ago

Revision sans vision: On the three Bills that replace the body of criminal laws in India

The Hindu  

Law-making in the absence of a significant number of Opposition members does not reflect well on the legislature. The three Bills that replace the body of criminal laws in India were passed by Parliament in its ongoing session in the absence of more than 140 members. Even though the revised versions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha …

7-Year Jail or Lifer: Govt Gives Teeth to Sedition 2.0 Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill
1 year, 7 months ago

7-Year Jail or Lifer: Govt Gives Teeth to Sedition 2.0 Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill

News 18  

Even as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 is being vetted by the Parliament’s standing committee, debates and deliberations continue over the proposed section of the bill, specifically Section 150, which will replace Section 124A of IPC, known as sedition. Experts call the proposed section 150 for the “acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India” as “Sedition 2.0”. According …

How 3 New Bills to Replace IPC & CrPC Will Completely Change Criminal Justice System - News18
1 year, 7 months ago

How 3 New Bills to Replace IPC & CrPC Will Completely Change Criminal Justice System - News18

News 18  

Parliament is the temple of democracy and parliamentary procedures the rites by which the will of the people is translated into practice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha on Friday to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Code for Procedure and …

What is Section 150? All you need to know as govt mulls repeal of sedition law
1 year, 7 months ago

What is Section 150? All you need to know as govt mulls repeal of sedition law

Live Mint  

The offence of sedition may soon cease to exist as the Centre mulls a replacement for the Indian Penal Code. Under its provisions the offense of sedition - as outlined in Section 124A of the IPC will be replaced by Section 150 of the new Bill. Section 124A could be exercised against individuals using various means to “bring into hatred …

Sedition gets new name in bill; ambit wider, penalty harsher
1 year, 7 months ago

Sedition gets new name in bill; ambit wider, penalty harsher

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi The act of sedition continues to be a crime under a proposed Indian law introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday, albeit under a different name, with the punishment for it actually being increased. An analysis of the Bharativa Nyaya Sanita Bill, 2023, however, suggests that the offence of sedition has been retained under the proposed law with …

India repeals outdated British-era sedition law. Experts call it a ‘repackaging’ exercise
1 year, 7 months ago

India repeals outdated British-era sedition law. Experts call it a ‘repackaging’ exercise

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India’s outdated British-era sedition law …

Sedition under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023: What’s changed.
1 year, 7 months ago

Sedition under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023: What’s changed.

Hindustan Times  

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said in the Lok Sabha that one of the proposed legislations aimed at overhauling the criminal justice system will completely repeal the offence of sedition, as prescribed under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, adding the bill will be sent to a parliamentary panel for scrutiny. An analysis of the Bharatiya Nyaya …

Amit Shah tables Bills for major changes to British-era criminal justice system
1 year, 7 months ago

Amit Shah tables Bills for major changes to British-era criminal justice system

Hindustan Times  

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday tabled bills to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act and to provide for capital punishment for mob lynching, sexual assaults on minors, 20-year imprisonment for gang rape besides repeal of sedition offence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at Parliament House complex during …

Parliament Monsoon Session: Sedition Law To Be Abolished, Says Amit Shah
1 year, 7 months ago

Parliament Monsoon Session: Sedition Law To Be Abolished, Says Amit Shah

ABP News  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Lok Sabha on Friday that the sedition law will be abolished by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, 2023. Speaking about the Bill Amit Shah said, "Under this, we are repealing laws like sedition. That is why, we have brought an important provision that the sections that provide for seven years or longer jail …

Lok Sabha: Amit Shah Introduces Bills To Repeal Sedition, Overhaul 'Colonial-Era' Criminal Laws
1 year, 7 months ago

Lok Sabha: Amit Shah Introduces Bills To Repeal Sedition, Overhaul 'Colonial-Era' Criminal Laws

ABP News  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday introduced three bills for the overhaul of "colonial-era" criminal laws, including repealing the controversial sedition law. The three bills that will replace Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act and Indian Evidence Act are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Bill and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill respectively. READ | Sedition Law To Be Abolished, …

Sedition law to be scrapped, says Amit Shah, punishment enhanced in new provisions
1 year, 7 months ago

Sedition law to be scrapped, says Amit Shah, punishment enhanced in new provisions

India Today  

The sedition law “will be completely repealed”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament on Friday as he introduced three bills aimed at overhauling the criminal justice system. “Whoever, purposely or knowingly, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or by electronic communication or by use of financial mean, or otherwise, excites or attempts …

India to overhaul colonial-era criminal laws, repeal penal code
1 year, 7 months ago

India to overhaul colonial-era criminal laws, repeal penal code

Al Jazeera  

Home minister presents bills to repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act. India’s government has moved three bills in the lower house of parliament aimed at overhauling some colonial-era criminal laws, ranging from the controversial sedition law to strengthening laws that protect women and minors. On the last day of …

Situation from Kashmir to Kerala, Punjab to North East makes it must to have sedition law: Law panel chief
1 year, 8 months ago

Situation from Kashmir to Kerala, Punjab to North East makes it must to have sedition law: Law panel chief

India TV News  

Sedition law in India: Amid demands to repeal the law on sedition, Law Commission chairman Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi said that due to the present situation from Kashmir to Kerala and Punjab to North East, it has become very important to retain the law to safeguard the “unity and integrity of India”. Special laws of country do not cover sedition …

Rethink the retention of sedition
1 year, 8 months ago

Rethink the retention of sedition

The Hindu  

The Law Commission of India in its 279th report, released in April 2023, has recommended retaining one of the most controversial sections of recent times i.e., Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code on ‘sedition’. The Supreme Court of India, in S.G. Vombatkere v. Union of India on May 11, 2022, had directed all State governments and the central government …

Where anyone can be accused of sedition
1 year, 9 months ago

Where anyone can be accused of sedition

The Hindu  

French author Andre Gide once said, “Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again.” This captures the current state of the debate on sedition in India. The 279th Law Commission Report, laying down the grounds for retaining sedition, is starkly symbolic of how “nobody listens.” The Commission has …

Law Commission’s Report on Sedition Ignores Free Speech Law and Indian Colonial History
1 year, 9 months ago

Law Commission’s Report on Sedition Ignores Free Speech Law and Indian Colonial History

Live Law  

The Law Commission of India released its 279th Report on ‘Usage of the Law of Sedition”. This argument is buttressed by a 2016 paper by philosophy professor Arudra Burra that problematizes the idea of the colonial nature of Indian law by asserting that the colonial origin of laws are “normatively neutral”. While the British government faced threats to its stability …

Sedition law report: A regressive step by Law Commission
1 year, 9 months ago

Sedition law report: A regressive step by Law Commission

The Hindu  

Published : Jun 08, 2023 19:40 IST - 7 MINS READ The 22nd Law Commission has recommended that Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code dealing with the offence of sedition be retained and that the minimum jail term for the offence be enhanced from three years to seven years. While the Court practically suspended the provision, the Law …

Top court must strike down the sedition law
1 year, 9 months ago

Top court must strike down the sedition law

Hindustan Times  

Last year, during the hearing of a constitutional challenge to the validity of the offence of sedition, the government urged the Supreme Court to defer consideration on the basis that the issue was under review. Last week, the first fruits of the government’s review process were made public: The Law Commission of India published a report where it not only …

Law Commission's Report on Sedition Ignores Free Speech, Lacks Depth
1 year, 9 months ago

Law Commission's Report on Sedition Ignores Free Speech, Lacks Depth

The Quint  

The 279th report proposes that the scope of sedition be expanded to include even speech which does not incite any violence or public disorder but which may have a “tendency” to do so. In doing so, the Commission completely misreads the Constitution Bench judgement of Kedar Nath Singh v State of Bihar and outrightly ignores subsequent jurisprudence which has interpreted …

DC Edit | It's time to scrap sedition law, not make it harsher
1 year, 9 months ago

DC Edit | It's time to scrap sedition law, not make it harsher

Deccan Chronicle  

The Law Commission’s recommendation that Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code which deals with sedition be retained with more stringent punishment goes against the grain of the ground realities and instead reflects the thought shared by a section of our society which is yet to recognise the establishment of the Indian democratic republic with a Constitution of its own. …

Sedition law mustn’t trump basic rights
1 year, 9 months ago

Sedition law mustn’t trump basic rights

Hindustan Times  

Among the slew of colonial-era statutes that survive in India’s criminal law books today, sedition is among the most controversial. In a historic order last year, the Supreme Court hit pause on the provision, ruling that the law was not in sync with the social milieu. Last week, however, the Law Commission recommended that the 153-year-old colonial law be retained, …

Law Commission's recommendations backing sedition law contrary to foundations of republic: Sibal
1 year, 9 months ago

Law Commission's recommendations backing sedition law contrary to foundations of republic: Sibal

The Hindu  

Rajya Sabha MP and former law minister Kapil Sibal on Friday said the Law Commission's recommendations backing the sedition law are contrary to the ethos and the very foundations of the republic. Explained | India’s sedition law, its usage, and the opinions around it After 2014, there have been more than 10,000 cases of sedition out of which there has …

Govt. wants to make sedition law more draconian: Congress
1 year, 9 months ago

Govt. wants to make sedition law more draconian: Congress

The Hindu  

Citing the Law Commission’s backing of Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to sedition, the Congress on Friday alleged that the BJP government was planning to make the law more “draconian” and wanted to send a message before the next general election that it would be used against Opposition leaders. The principal Opposition party alleged that the …

On sedition law, govt says repealing can have adverse impact on India's security
1 year, 9 months ago

On sedition law, govt says repealing can have adverse impact on India's security

Hindustan Times  

The Law Commission of India has recommended the retention of the 153-year-old colonial law on sedition in India, emphasising that “repealing the legal provision can have serious adverse ramifications for the security and integrity of the country.” Instead, the Commission favoured amending Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code or IPC “so as to bring about more clarity in the …

Law Commission asks to retain sedition law; proposes amendments for clarity
1 year, 9 months ago

Law Commission asks to retain sedition law; proposes amendments for clarity

Live Mint  

The Law Commission has expressed its opinion that Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to sedition laws, should be retained. "In this context, it is also alternatively suggested that a provision analogous to Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 may be incorporated as a proviso to Section 154 of CrPC, which would provide the …

Law Commission backs sedition law, says 'India's ground reality different'
1 year, 9 months ago

Law Commission backs sedition law, says 'India's ground reality different'

India Today  

The Law Commission of India headed by Retd Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi in its report said that Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with the law on sedition should be retained with some amendments regarding circumstances under which it should be be used. In its report which was submitted to the law ministry, the commission said that certain …

Sedition law can be retained but with safeguards: Law Commission
1 year, 9 months ago

Sedition law can be retained but with safeguards: Law Commission

The Hindu  

The Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code dealing with sedition needs to be retained but certain amendments could be made for greater clarity regarding its usage, the 22nd Law Commission has said in its report to the government. “In this context, it is also alternatively suggested that a provision analogous to Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, …

Sedition: Centre tells Supreme Court government likely to re-cast colonial-era law
1 year, 10 months ago

Sedition: Centre tells Supreme Court government likely to re-cast colonial-era law

India Today  

The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that the process of re-examining Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises sedition, is at an advanced stage and the revised law is likely to be tabled in the Monsoon session of Parliament. Recording the submission of the top law officer of the government, the bench said, "The Attorney …

SC to hear pleas challenging constitutional validity of sedition law
2 years, 2 months ago

SC to hear pleas challenging constitutional validity of sedition law

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Nearly seven months after putting on hold the law on sedition, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions challenging the colonial-era penal law on Monday when the Centre is likely to apprise it of the developments, if any, made while re-examining the provision. In a path-breaking order, the top court had on May 11 …

Order putting sedition law on hold to continue; SC grants time to Centre
2 years, 4 months ago

Order putting sedition law on hold to continue; SC grants time to Centre

The Hindu  

An interim order putting on hold the contentious sedition law and the consequential registration of FIRs will continue as the Supreme Court granted additional time to the Centre on Monday to take "appropriate steps" with regard to the reviewing of the colonial-era provision. A bench of Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Bela M. Trivedi …

Section 124A: Journey Of Sedition Law So Far
2 years, 9 months ago

Section 124A: Journey Of Sedition Law So Far

Live Law  

Sedition definition Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may …

The Sedition Law: Landmark order
2 years, 10 months ago

The Sedition Law: Landmark order

The Hindu  

T he recent order of the Supreme Court in a case filed by Major General S.G. Vombatkere as well as the People’s Union of Civil Liberties and a range of other petitioners challenging the constitutional validity of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code has come as a ray of hope that the issue of sedition will cease to be …

Is This the Beginning of the End of Sedition Law in India?
2 years, 10 months ago

Is This the Beginning of the End of Sedition Law in India?

News 18  

Probably, in a first in independent India’s history, a criminal law has been put on hold by the apex court when the central government decided to review its provision. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana held in its order that “Union of India agrees with the prima facie opinion expressed by this court that the …

Sedition Law: 399 Cases Filed, Convictions in Only 8 Between 2014 and 2020, Shows Home Ministry Data
2 years, 10 months ago

Sedition Law: 399 Cases Filed, Convictions in Only 8 Between 2014 and 2020, Shows Home Ministry Data

News 18  

Of the 399 cases of sedition were registered in India between 2014 and 2020, convictions were granted in eight, Union Home Ministry data shows. Section 124A says that “whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection …

How various countries have junked sedition law
2 years, 10 months ago

How various countries have junked sedition law

India Today  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, in a historical decision, put a stay on the 152-year-old sedition law under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code till the Union government reconsiders the provision. Singapore Last year, Singapore, which like India inherited colonial English law, repealed its sedition law 83 years after it was first introduced to curb local opposition to British …

India’s Supreme Court suspends all cases involving controversial colonial-era charge of ‘sedition’
2 years, 10 months ago

India’s Supreme Court suspends all cases involving controversial colonial-era charge of ‘sedition’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In a historic development, the …

India puts hold on harsh sedition law used to stifle critics
2 years, 10 months ago

India puts hold on harsh sedition law used to stifle critics

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — India’s top court put the country’s colonial-era sedition law on hold Wednesday. “It will be appropriate not to use this provision of law till further reexamination is over,” the three-judge bench headed by India’s Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said in New Delhi. India’s sedition law, like its equivalent in other formerly British-ruled countries, offers a legal framework …

Supreme Court puts colonial sedition law on hold
2 years, 10 months ago

Supreme Court puts colonial sedition law on hold

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended pending criminal trials and court proceedings under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code while allowing the Union of India to reconsider the British-era law. Adding a fail-safe to protect civil liberties against any future misuse of Section 124A while it was under the Union's microscope, the court ordered that the persons accused in …

Sedition law on hold: Top 5 things Supreme Court said in order
2 years, 10 months ago

Sedition law on hold: Top 5 things Supreme Court said in order

India Today  

In a historic order, the Supreme Court on Wednesday put on hold Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, known as the sedition law in common parlance. The order was pronounced by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the …

'Govt Doing What Nehru Couldn't': Centre tells Supreme Court on Re-examining Sedition Law
2 years, 10 months ago

'Govt Doing What Nehru Couldn't': Centre tells Supreme Court on Re-examining Sedition Law

News 18  

India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on Tuesday, found a mention in the Supreme Court during the hearing of pleas challenging the sedition law. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was representing the petitioners arguing about the misuse of sedition law, said that former PM Nehru had echoed similar thoughts regarding Section 124A, which criminalises sedition. We are trying to do …

Sedition- Supreme Court Hearing On Constitutional Validity Of Section 124A IPC- Live Updates
2 years, 10 months ago

Sedition- Supreme Court Hearing On Constitutional Validity Of Section 124A IPC- Live Updates

Live Law  

A bench comprising the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli to continue hearing TODAY on the petition challenging the Constitutional validity of Section 124A of Indian Penal Code which deals with the law of Sedition in India.The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central Government why it cannot issue a direction to the …

Sedition- Supreme Court Hearing On Constitutional Validity Of Section 124A IPC- Live Updates
2 years, 10 months ago

Sedition- Supreme Court Hearing On Constitutional Validity Of Section 124A IPC- Live Updates

Live Law  

A bench comprising the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli to continue hearing TODAY on the petition challenging the Constitutional validity of Section 124A of Indian Penal Code which deals with the law of Sedition in India.The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central Government why it cannot issue a direction to the …

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