Sedition law: Supreme Court orders Section 124A IPC to be kept in abeyance

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday has put a stay on all pending proceedings of sedition cases.

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the states to refrain from registering any FIR, continuing investigation, or taking any coercive steps under Section 124A of IPC until the Centre’s review of the sedition law is over.

 Section 124 of the IPC addresses the penalties for sedition offences.

A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli directed that Section 124A be kept in abeyance till the government’s exercise of reviewing Section 124A is complete.

“It is clear that Central government agrees that rigours of Section 124A is not in tune with the current situation and it was intended for the time when country was under colonial law. Thus Centre may reconsider it…it will be appropriate not to use this provision of law till further reexamination is over. We hope and expect Central government and States will refrain from registering any FIR, continuing investigation, or taking coercive steps under 124 A IPC when it is being reconsidered by the Centre,” the Court ordered.