SC Refers Plea Concerning Sedition Law to Constitution Bench
The Supreme Court on Tuesday referred a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the sedition law to a Constitution Bench of at least five judges.
The petitions were filed by a group of journalists, lawyers, and civil society activists. They argued that the sedition law is vague and unconstitutional, and that it has been used to suppress dissent and free speech.
The Supreme Court had earlier put the law on hold in May 2022 and asked the Centre and states not to register any new cases under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with sedition.
The Constitution Bench will now hear the petitions and decide whether the sedition law is constitutional. The bench is likely to be headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud.
The sedition law was enacted in 1860 during the British colonial rule. It defines sedition as any act or speech that brings or attempts to bring hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India.
The law has been criticized by many legal experts and activists, who argue that it is vague and unconstitutional.
They say that the law has been used to suppress dissent and free speech, and that it has been used to target journalists, lawyers, and activists.
The Supreme Court’s decision to refer the petitions to a Constitution Bench is a significant development.
The Constitution Bench is the highest judicial forum in India, and its decision on the constitutional validity of the sedition law will be binding on all lower courts.
The hearing of the petitions in the Constitution Bench is likely to take several months. The final verdict of the court is eagerly awaited by many people in India, who are concerned about the misuse of the sedition law.
