NEW DELHI, May 3:
The Centre has sought time from the Supreme Court to file its response on a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the colonial era penal law on sedition.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, on April 27, had directed the Central Government to file the reply saying it would commence the final hearing in the matter on May 5 and would not entertain any request for adjournment.
In an application filed before the court, the Centre said while the draft of the affidavit is ready, it was awaiting confirmation from the competent authority.
The top court, in its last order, had noted that senior advocate Kapil Sibal will lead the arguments from the petitioner’s side against the validity of section 124A (sedition) of the IPC in the matter.
Concerned over the enormous misuse of the penal law on sedition, the top court in July last year had asked the Centre why it was not repealing the provision used by the British to silence people like Mahatma Gandhi to suppress the freedom movement.
Agreeing to examine the pleas filed by the Editors Guild of India and former Major-General S G Vombatkere, challenging the Constitutionality of Section 124A (sedition) in the IPC, the apex court had said its main concern was the “misuse of law” leading to rise in number of cases. (PTI)
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