Understand what is Sedition law in India and importance of SC orders on it
Sedition Law in India – The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and states to keep aside all pending trials, appeals, and proceedings with respect to the charge framed under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The law deals with the offence of sedition. The stay has been directed until the Central Government completes the reconsideration and re-examination of the provision.
Sedition Law in India – What is Sedition Law?
Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code defines sedition as: “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 toward, the Government established by law, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added.”
Origin of Sedition law
Thomas Macaulay drafted the Indian Penal Code including the law of sedition in it. But the law was not added in the code enacted in 1860. The legal experts believe it to be an accidental omission. In section 189, sedition was included as an offence under section 124A IPC through the Special Act XVII.
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The punishment then prescribed was to transport the person beyond the seas for the term of his or her natural life. In 1955 the punishment was amended to life imprisonment. The main objective of the law was to completely curb the political dissent during the Independence movement.
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Sedition Law in India
Recent developments under Sedition law
The apex court has put a stay on the sedition law and has asked the centre and states to not register any case under section 124A of the Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court says that till the re-examination of laws, no case will be registered under it.
Sedition Law Cases In India
According to National Crime Records Bureau, 356 cases of sedition were registered between 2015 and 2020. 548 persons were arrested but only 12 persons were detained in the 7 sedition cases convicted in this six-year period.
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