Hong Kong, a booming business hub, has come under the scanner as authorities launched a crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous city. This crackdown began after violent pro-democracy protests in 2019 after which several pro-democracy lawmakers have been arrested while others fled abroad.
Special laws such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the National Security Act apply in different areas but do not cover the offense of sedition.
While the opposition targeted the Modi government over the apex court's decision saying that the SC has stayed the provisions of sedition, a closer look at the order reveals that the top court took note of the Centre's positive suggestions.
Rijiju's remarks came after Rahul Gandhi had welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to put on hold the sedition law.
Supreme Court said that those already facing sedition charges can approach courts for bail.
On Saturday, the Centre defended the law on sedition and the 1962 verdict of a constitution bench upholding its validity, saying they have withstood "the test of time" about six decades and the instances of its abuse would never be a justification of reconsideration.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli said it would commence the final hearing in the matter on May 5 and would not entertain any request for adjournment.
The Court had passed the direction for framing of charges on Jan 24, 2022. Court had dismissed the regular bail plea of Sharjeel. The court has listed the case for further hearing on Mar 26, 2022.
The law minister on Friday said in Lok Sabha that the Ministry of Home Affairs has no proposal under consideration to scrap Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with sedition.
The government has repealed a number of laws now. I don't know why you are not looking into this, CJI Ramana said.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hemant Gupta rejected the plea and also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the petitioners for making such claims and directed them to deposit the amount with the Supreme Court Advocates Welfare Fund within four weeks.
Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar demanded a speedy trial against him. This, he said, will bring out how sedition law was being "misused". Delhi state government on Friday gave green signal to Delhi Police to prosecute Kanhaiya Kumar in JNU sedition case.
A leader of Sri Ram Sene has announced a bounty of Rs 3 lakh for those who would "chop off the tongues" of three Kashmiri engineering students who have been charged with sedition for chanting pro-Pakistan slogans in Karnataka's Hubli district
Three Kashmiri engineering students who had been charged with sedition for allegedly chanting pro-Pakistan slogans in their hostel room in Hubli were on Sunday granted bail
In a drastic move, the Mumbai Police on Monday slapped sedition charges against at least 51 persons who joined a rally here on Saturday and allegedly raised slogans in favour of sedition accused JNU student Sharjeel Imam, an official said.
Trying to destabilise a government established by law has serious connotations. If one is trying to destabilise the government, it may mean that you are trying to destroy a system in place. System governed by democratic principles.
The Bihar police has ordered closure of a sedition case lodged against nearly 50 celebrities, including filmmakers Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam and Anurag Kashyap, and the complainant would be prosecuted for levelling "false" allegations, a top police official said.
Ministry of Home Affairs said on Wednesday that there is no proposal to scrap the often contentious sedition law. Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai told this to the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. The reply states that the sedition law is necessary to combat 'anti-national, secessionist and terrorist elements'.
"No such proposal is under consideration of the government," he said, replying to a written question on whether the government is mulling to scrap the colonial-era sedition law.
The evidence listed by the agency include report of JNU's high-level committee, statement of varsity's Registrar Bhupinder Jutshi and the mobile phone recordings in which Kumar was seen arguing with him over cancellation of the programme.
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