Plea in Supreme Court seeks quashing of FIRs registered by Delhi Police for posters criticizing Centre's COVID-19 vaccine policy

A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking quashing of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against at least 24 persons for putting up posters criticizing the Central government's COVID-19 vaccination policy..The petition filed by Advocate Pradeep Kumar Yadav prayed for directions to be issued to Delhi Police to refrain from registering FIRs or act against those who allegedly put up the posters across the national capital over the past few days..The posters spotted across the city had messages like: "Modi ji, aapne humare bacchon ki vaccine videsh kyu bhej diya?" (Modi ji, why did you send vaccines meant for our children abroad?)..Subsequently, arrests were made by four different divisions of Delhi Police. The divisions involved were Eastern Range, East, Central and Northeast, suggesting a coordinated operation on the officials' part, the plea claimed..The petition placed reliance on the recent order passed by the Supreme Court in the suo motu case related to COVID, by which the top court specifically directed the Central and State governments not to register any criminal case over the public seeking medical help on the social media.However, contrary to the Supreme Court order, the "authorities are registering FIR against the innocent persons over their speech against the Hon’ble PM with regard to his official functions over the second wave of COVID-19 crises and Government vaccine policies," the plea said. .The petitioner submitted that the FIRs were registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, Delhi Disaster Management Act, Indian Penal Code, Press and Registration of Books Act, Section 269 of the IPC (whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life) and Section 34 of the IPC (common intention)..The plea argued that such FIRs are in violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens including the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). .The petition also cited the Supreme Court judgment in Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India, in which the apex court while setting aside the Section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, had held that sharing information over social media will not constitute a criminal offence under the IT Act.