Sedition Law: SC Orders Section 124A Of IPC To Be Kept In Abeyance, Asks Centre, States To Refrain From Registering New FIRs

In a major development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (11 May) put the section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, also known as sedition law, on abeyance till the Centre reconsiders the colonial era law.

The Supreme Court also urged the Centre and states to refrain from registering fresh FIRs under section 124A of IPC.

The SC, while hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the offence of sedition under Section 124A of IPC, allowed the Centre to reconsider the law.

A special bench comprising the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli held that all pending cases, appeals and proceedings with respect to charges framed under Section124 A be kept in abeyance.

Adjudication with respect to other sections may proceed with no prejudice be caused to the accused, it held.

"We hope and expect Centre and State Governments will refrain from registering any FIR, continuing investigation, or taking coercive steps under Section 124 A IPC when it is under reconsideration. It will be appropriate not to use this provision of law till further reexamination is over," the interim order said, reports LiveLaw.