Sedition Cases Against People Seeking Help Is Curtailment Of Freedom Of Speech: Former SC Judge

-Outlook India

Justice Madan B Lokur cited a recent incident in UP involving a man who tweeted for help-seeking oxygen for his 88-year-old grandfather and the Amethi police booked him.

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B Lokur on Friday said that sedition cases against people seeking help during the pandemic, and blocking of news and social media channels reporting failure of authorities, is curtailment of freedom of speech and expression.

Speaking at the inaugural Madhu Babu Memorial Lecture Justice Lokur said, “In recent past, there has been an alarming increase in speech-related sedition cases. Sedition is a very serious charge. We have had freedom fighters like Gandhiji, Lok Manya Tilak who have been accused of sedition, and today the common man is being accused of sedition.”

“When there were protests against Citizenship Amendment Act, 25 cases of sedition were filed against 3700 persons. When gang rape and murder of young girl took place in Hathras, 22 cases of sedition were filed against 23 persons. Can anybody objecting to gang rape and murder be accused of sedition?" he said.

The lecture was organised by Odisha Dialogues on Wednesday on topic, 'Can India's Judiciary Rescue Her Democracy?'.

He cited a recent incident in Uttar Pradesh involving a man who tweeted for help-seeking oxygen for his ailing 88-year-old grandfather and the Amethi police booked him under the Epidemic Act, accusing him of creating fear among the people.

Please click here to read more.