The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking framing of a proper mechanism to deal with alleged misuse of the sedition law by the government machinery.
A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar dismissed the plea filed by a social activist and said it was open for the petitioner to approach the appropriate authority.
At the outset, the apex court told advocate Utsav Singh Bains, appearing for the petitioner, that he could not seek quashing of an FIR in a sedition case filed against the management of a Karnataka school for allegedly allowing students to stage an anti-CAA and anti-NRC drama.
Bains told the bench that he was not pressing for a prayer of FIR quashing and that the petitioner has also sought a direction for framing of a proper mechanism to deal with the alleged misuse of the sedition law.
”Let the affected party come and we will hear them. Why it should be done at your instance,” the bench said, refusing to entertain the petition.
Two people–one parent and one teacher– connected with the school were arrested on 30 January were released on bail after 15 days while the management was granted anticipatory bail.
Parts of India have been facing relentless protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Even as there are allegations that anti-Indian forces are working overtime by triggering protests, they should be dealt with an iron hand under stringent laws.