New Delhi : On Monday, the Central government informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to re-examine and reconsider the provisions of Section 124A
As the controversial sedition law was paused today, one of the petitioners, Major General Sudhir Vombatkere (retired), said he turned to the court when the Constitution that he swore to protect was being challenged.
The Central government on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to re-examine and reconsider the provisions of Section 124A which criminalises the offence of sedition and requested it not to take up the case till the matter is examined by the government.
Arun Shourie sought direction to declare the sedition law unconstitutional arguing that it is "heavily abused". Shourie in his plea had said that cases are being filed against citizens for "exercising their freedom of speech and expression". Sedition Law: Centre Tells Supreme Court That It Will Re-Examine, Reconsider Provisions of the Law.
"The remedy would lie in preventing such abuse on a case-to-case basis rather than doubting a long-standing settled law declared by a Constitution bench since about six decades," the Centre said.