Why the SC s Vinod Dua Verdict May Still Not Guarantee Sufficient Protection to Journalists
While the judgment says every journalist is entitled to protection, it may still fail to deter authorities from misusing the law.
Vinod Dua
Rights11 hours ago
There were two ironies which marked the Supreme Courtâs judgment quashing the FIR against well-known television anchor, Vinod Dua on Thursday. Although the bench comprising Justices Uday Umesh Lalit and Vineet Saran had found all the allegations in the FIR baseless, it devoted considerable space in its judgment to the discourse on sedition. Therefore, it is likely to have a lasting influence on our jurisprudence on free speech.
No sedition case can be filed unless the spirit of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code is prime facie met, a bench comprising Justices Uday Umesh Lalit and Vineet Saran ruled on Thursday.
Read more about Journalists entitled to protection : Supreme Court quashes sedition case on Business Standard. Journalists are entitled to protection in sedition cases under a 1962 verdict so long as they do not incite violence against the government, the Supreme Court held on Thursday while quashing an FIR against Vinod Dua for his alleged comments against