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SC raps Andhra Govt. and the State Police over their coercive action against news channels

The case about sedition charges levelled against 2 news channels for airing an alleged objectionable speech given by a devout Hindu MP Raghuram Krishnam Raju

  • With this kind of subjective interpretation of the law, the SC thinks the time is ripe to define the purview of the sedition charge

The YSR Congress Government arrested its own MP for exposing the pro-Christian stance by blatant exploitation of the law. This is clearly a form of dictatorship and is an affront to the democratic fabric of our nation. Therefore, those responsible must be punished.

New Delhi – The SC rebuked both the Andhra Government and the Police for their coercive action. It observed, “Criticising the Government does not tantamount to treason. Criticism of the Government does not come under the purview of treason. It is time to clearly define the scope of sedition clause.” Sedition charges have been mentioned in the chargesheet filed by the Government against ‘TV 5’ and ‘ABN Andhra Jyothi’, the local news channels in Andhra Pradesh. The news channels had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking immediate withdrawal of all the charges levelled against them. The SC not only reprimanded the Government and the Police, but also ordered them not to take any punitive action against the news channels. These news channels had aired an alleged objectionable speech given by a devout Hindu MP Raghuram Krishnam Raju, who was arrested, but later released on bail.

The Court further opined, “With respect to the media and its freedom of expression, the provisions of sections 124A and 153 of the Indian Penal Code need to be clearly defined. The opinion of the news channels cannot be labelled as treason. Therefore, the time is ripe to define the purview of sedition charge”.

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