Government reviewing Section 124A of IPC: sedition made a crime under this section
Government reviewing Section 124A of IPC: sedition made a crime under this section, hearing on petitions against it postponed till August
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday deferred till August the hearing of petitions challenging Section 124A of the IPC (sedition law). This was done after knowing the stand of the Attorney General of the Central Government, R Venkataramani. Venkataramani told the Supreme Court that Section 124A of the IPC, which criminalises sedition, is being reviewed. Discussion on its review is in the final stage.
Actually, last year the Supreme Court had banned this law. A bench headed by the then CJI NV Ramana, in its order, said that except for registration of fresh FIRs, investigation and all proceedings in cases registered under this Act would be stayed.
The bench further said in its order that the harshness of Section 124A is not good for society at present. The bench said that till the investigation of the provisions of this law is not completed, it would not be right to continue using the provisions of the law.
The Supreme Court had asked the government to define the limits of sedition. The Supreme Court had also expressed concern over the misuse of the sedition law against critics, journalists, social media users and citizens.