India puts hold on harsh sedition law used to stifle critics
2 years, 8 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 to categorize a citizen as a threat to the state. Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government has increasingly brandished the law to silence critics, intellectuals, human rights activists, filmmakers, students and journalists, with police arguing that words or actions of dissent make them a threat to national security.

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History of this topic

New law repackaged sedition, should not be used to stifle dissent: High Court
3 weeks, 3 days 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
3 weeks, 3 days 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
1 month 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 …

DC Edit | Let new criminal laws strengthen democracy
10 months, 3 weeks 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, …

Sedition gets new name in bill; ambit wider, penalty harsher
1 year, 5 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, 5 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, 5 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 …

Parliament Monsoon Session: Sedition Law To Be Abolished, Says Amit Shah
1 year, 5 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 …

Where anyone can be accused of sedition
1 year, 7 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, 7 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, 7 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 …

End the debate: The Hindu Editorial on the Law Commission’s recommendation on sedition
1 year, 7 months ago

End the debate: The Hindu Editorial on the Law Commission’s recommendation on sedition

The Hindu  

The Law Commission’s recommendation that the offence of sedition be retained in penal law, albeit with some safeguards, flies in the face of current judicial and political thinking that the country may not need this colonial vestige any more. Section 124A of the IPC, which describes sedition, seeks to punish speech or writing that brings or tries to bring into …

Law Commission's Report on Sedition Ignores Free Speech, Lacks Depth
1 year, 7 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, 7 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, 7 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, …

India's History With Sedition Law Explained as Law Commission Backs Stricter Provision
1 year, 7 months ago

India's History With Sedition Law Explained as Law Commission Backs Stricter Provision

News 18  

In a very significant move last year in May, the Supreme Court of India put the 152-year old sedition law, defined under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, into abeyance till the Union Government reconsiders the provision. “Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into …

Law Commission's recommendations backing sedition law contrary to foundations of republic: Sibal
1 year, 7 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, 7 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, 7 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 backs sedition law, says 'India's ground reality different'
1 year, 7 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: Centre tells Supreme Court government likely to re-cast colonial-era law
1 year, 8 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 …

DC Edit | Dissent, even if unseemly, should not lead to arrest
1 year, 10 months ago

DC Edit | Dissent, even if unseemly, should not lead to arrest

Deccan Chronicle  

The timely and resolute intervention of the Supreme Court to prevent the incarceration of Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera for cases registered against him over his comment that was critical of the Prime Minister has spared our blushes seeing as we call ourselves the oldest democracy in the world. It also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh and Assam governments to …

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

sedition language wars and federalism | political line
2 years, 8 months ago

sedition language wars and federalism | political line

The Hindu  

Laws and lawlessness I have returned from a nice vacation; so has PL. The Supreme Court’s directive that put a brake on the mindless and often cruel use of sedition cases by the state against critics turned out to be a breath of fresh air, though that in no way guarantees that the state will be more tolerant towards dissent …

Is This the Beginning of the End of Sedition Law in India?
2 years, 8 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 …

SC Sedition Order Must be Viewed in Context of Govt's Positive Suggestions: BJP
2 years, 8 months ago

SC Sedition Order Must be Viewed in Context of Govt's Positive Suggestions: BJP

News 18  

With the Opposition targeting the Centre after the Supreme Court’s stay on the sedition law, the BJP on Wednesday said the order must be viewed in the context of the overall positive suggestion of the government that it wishes to examine the matter which has been “duly accepted” by the court. The Modi government took a “historic” decision to correct …

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

Evening brief: Why petitioners challenged constitutionality of marital rape, and all the latest news
2 years, 8 months ago

Evening brief: Why petitioners challenged constitutionality of marital rape, and all the latest news

Hindustan Times  

Here are today’s top news, analysis and opinion. The Delhi High Court delivers a split verdict on the issue of criminalisation of marital rape. Marital rape law: Why petitioners challenged exception under IPC in Delhi HC The Delhi High Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on the issue of criminalisation of marital rape. Political parties welcome SC’s interim order …

India’s Supreme Court suspends all cases involving controversial colonial-era charge of ‘sedition’
2 years, 8 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 …

Supreme Court puts colonial sedition law on hold
2 years, 8 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, 8 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, 8 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, 8 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, 8 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 …

India top court puts colonial-era sedition law on hold for review
2 years, 8 months ago

India top court puts colonial-era sedition law on hold for review

Al Jazeera  

Rights groups and even the Supreme Court have spoken out about rampant misuse of the law against activists, writers and students. India’s Supreme Court has barred the government from using a colonial-era sedition law that critics say is often used to stifle dissent, pending a review. The Law Commission of India and even the Supreme Court have at various times …

Sedition- Supreme Court Hearing On Constitutional Validity Of Section 124A IPC- Live Updates
2 years, 8 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 bench will consider today the preliminary issue of whether a reference to a larger bench is …

Sedition- Supreme Court Hearing On Constitutional Validity Of Section 124A IPC- Live Updates
2 years, 8 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 bench will consider today the preliminary issue of whether a reference to a larger bench is …

The Sedition Saga: As SC Passes Massive Order Pausing the Colonial-Era Law, its History and Controversy Decoded
2 years, 8 months ago

The Sedition Saga: As SC Passes Massive Order Pausing the Colonial-Era Law, its History and Controversy Decoded

News 18  

In a historic order suspending the colonial-era sedition law temporarily, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre and states to not file fresh FIRs under the Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises the offence of sedition. Punishment Under IPC Section 124A As mentioned under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, “Whoever, by words, either spoken …

Explained: How successive state and central governments have defended sedition law in the past
2 years, 8 months ago

Explained: How successive state and central governments have defended sedition law in the past

Firstpost  

From the Aseem Trivedi case of 2012 to the Rana couple incident of 2022, different parties have used the contentious legislation and defended it, despite opposition from other corners After calling sedition a “good law” and telling the Supreme Court that there was no need to strike it down, the Centre on Monday climbed down from its previous stance, saying …

Will re-examine sedition law: Centre to Supreme Court
2 years, 8 months ago

Will re-examine sedition law: Centre to Supreme Court

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Just one day ahead of the hearing on whether the challenge to the constitutional validity of the sedition law should be heard by a larger five-judge Constitution Bench, the Central government on Monday told the Supreme Court it had decided to “re-examine and reconsider” the provisions of the colonial-era law, and urged the court not to go ahead …

After PM Modi's Instructions, Centre told SC it Was Ready to Reconsider Sedition Law: Rijiju
2 years, 8 months ago

After PM Modi's Instructions, Centre told SC it Was Ready to Reconsider Sedition Law: Rijiju

News 18  

The Union government on Monday told the Supreme Court that it has decided to re-examine and reconsider provisions of sedition law in the country, a departure from the position it took in court last week. Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju told news agency ANI that the change in stance came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s instructions to re-evaluate the necessity …

Repeal the sedition law
2 years, 8 months ago

Repeal the sedition law

Hindustan Times  

Liking a social media post; cheering a team in a cricket match; criticising government policy or leaders – these are some of the grounds on which have authorities slapped sedition charges on Indian citizens in the past five years, underlining how the stringent provision, a relic of colonial-era law-making, was increasingly being used as a tool by governments of various …

Govt seeks more time from Supreme Court to respond to pleas challenging sedition law
2 years, 8 months ago

Govt seeks more time from Supreme Court to respond to pleas challenging sedition law

India Today  

A day before a crucial hearing was scheduled to take place on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the colonial-era law on sedition, the Centre on Wednesday sought another week’s time to file a reply to the petitions. ‘Sedition law used to suppress freedom movement’ Last year in July, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre why it was not …

Explained: India’s ‘colonial’ Sedition law - origins, govt abuse & courts’ take on it
2 years, 8 months ago

Explained: India’s ‘colonial’ Sedition law - origins, govt abuse & courts’ take on it

The Hindu  

Sedition is once again the subject of debate as the Supreme Court Court is hearing pleas challenging it. The apex court had first issued a notice to the Centre in July 2021 about the challenge to the legality of Section 124A Indian Penal Code, which criminalises sedition. Drafted by British historian-politician Thomas Babington Macaulay in 1837, sedition was defined as …

Supreme Court fixes sedition challenge on May 5, says no more adjournments
2 years, 8 months ago

Supreme Court fixes sedition challenge on May 5, says no more adjournments

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed May 5 for final hearing of the petitions challenging the constitutionality of the sedition law and made it clear that it will not brook any delay in the form of requests for adjournment. A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana scheduled the case for May 5 for final disposal after …

SC to hear pleas to scrap the sedition law today: Explaining the British-era offence and how it's being 'misused'
2 years, 8 months ago

SC to hear pleas to scrap the sedition law today: Explaining the British-era offence and how it's being 'misused'

Firstpost  

The Apex court last year had asked the Centre why it was not repealing the colonial-era law used by the British to silence people like Mahatma Gandhi to suppress the freedom movement, as it expressed concern over the misuse of the provision A Supreme Court bench is scheduled to hear on Wednesday a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity …

In Supreme Court Today, Pleas to Scrap Sedition Law. A Look at History of the Provision & What It Means
2 years, 8 months ago

In Supreme Court Today, Pleas to Scrap Sedition Law. A Look at History of the Provision & What It Means

News 18  

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the sedition law. In April last year, the top court had asked the Centre why it was not repealing the provision used by the British to …

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