FIR against Indian media personality Vinod Dua, charged in case of sedition law

WHO IS VINOD DUA AND WHY IS HE CHARGED?

• Vinod Dua is a Padma Shri awardee. He is a senior journalist.
• The case had been lodged against Dua in Himachal Pradesh by a purported BJP leader. Dua is accused of stating in a video show on March 30 that “Narendra Modi has used deaths and terror attacks to garner votes” .
• Dua also referred to the “politicization of the army’s attack in response to the Pulwama attack and usage of the same in the last elections”, the petition said.

WHY WAS THE STAY DENIED?

• The court sought a detailed status report on the investigation from the State of Himachal Pradesh by the next hearing on July 6.
• Dua has been charged under sections 124A (sedition)( Sedition is a serious felony punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison and it refers to the act of inciting revolt or violence against a lawful authority with the goal of destroying or overthrowing it.), 268 (public nuisance), 501 (printing matter known to be defamatory) and 505 (statements conducive to public mischief) on the basis of a Shyam’s complaint last month
• The court said the Himachal Pradesh police were entitled to carry out an investigation, which could extend to Dua’s residence, at 24 hours’ notice.
• Dua can’t be arrested till the next date of hearing but he must cooperate with the police and join the investigation, the bench added.

What are the facts of the case?

• The summons were issued two days after the Delhi High Court stayed the investigation in a similar case filed by BJP spokesperson Naveen Kumar
• He said that “whenever there is something that the government does not find palatable”, there is “harassment” through such FIRs.
• He also asserted that the complainant in the case is a “puppet in the hands” of the ruling party, but was asked by the court to not “use such adjectives”.

DO YOU THINK THAT SUCH CHARGES ON A  JOURNALIST IS A VALID STEP?

What do you think of the charges of sedition on a journalist?

Let us know in the comments below.