The Supreme Court has quashed the sedition case against famous journalist Vinod Dua. The Himachal Pradesh Police had registered this case against Dua last year. Dua was accused of making some comments against the Modi government on his YouTube channel. The Supreme Court quashed the FIR and proceedings in the case registered against Dua in Himachal. While pronouncing the verdict, a bench of Justices UU Lalit and Vineet Saran said, “We are quashing the FIR and the case proceedings. Every journalist will be entitled to protection under the Kedar Nath Singh verdict.”
In June 2020, the Supreme Court gave interim relief from arrest to Dua in this case. However, then the bench refused to stay the FIR. The FIR was done by a BJP leader from Himachal Pradesh. During the hearing in this case, on October 6, 2020, the bench of Justice Lalit and Justice Saran had reserved the decision after hearing the arguments of Vinod Dua, Himachal Government and the complainant.
What were the charges against Dua?
The FIR alleged that the comments made during Vinod Dua’s show could have spread communal hatred and disturbed the peace. This show of Dua was aired on 30 March 2020. After this, local BJP leader Ajay Shyam filed a case against Dua. Dua was booked under sections 124A (sedition), section 268 (public nuisance), section 501 (printing of defamatory things) and section 505 (intent to mischief in public) of the IPC.
The Supreme Court said, the new vaccination policy of the Center is irrational and arbitrary, why not buy vaccines for 18 to 44 years old?
What is Kedarnath Case?
In 1962, the Supreme Court gave an important decision in the case of Kedarnath vs State of Bihar. The court had said that criticizing the government or commenting on the administration does not constitute a case of sedition. A case of sedition will be made only when any statement is such that there is an intention to spread violence or elements of increasing violence are present. In recent times, the debate in sedition cases has intensified as the government has imposed such cases on many people who criticize it.
The sedition law was questioned in an application filed in the Supreme Court five years ago. Then it was alleged in the Supreme Court that the government was misusing the law related to sedition. The petitioner had said that the Constitutional Bench has given order in the sedition case, despite its law being misused.
Get Business News in Hindi, latest India News in Hindi, and other breaking news on share market, investment scheme and much more on Business Khabar. Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter for latest financial news and share market updates.
.