Sedition law was used by British against Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak; now misused with no accountability from govt: Supreme Court

Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises sedition is a provision which was used by the British to quell the voice of Indian freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak before the country gained independence, the Supreme Court observed on Thursday. .It is now being misused when someone does not like the views of another person and there is no accountability from the executive, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana observed. "Dispute is it is a colonial law and was used by British and suppress freedoms and used against Mahatma Gandhi Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Is this law still needed after 75 years of independence? Our concern is misuse of the law and no accountability of the executive," CJI Ramana said. If police wants to fix somebody, they can invoke Section 124A and everybody is a little scared when this Section is invoked, the Court added. .The Court was hearing a plea filed by retired army veteran SG Vombatkere challenging the provision contending that it violates freedom of speech and expression and is disproportionate to the object it seeks to achieve. .The Court had, on Wednesday, sought the assistance of Attorney General in the matter When the case came up for hearing on Thursday, Attorney General KK Venugopal opined that it might not be necessary to strike down the provision. "This section need not be struck down and only guidelines be set out so that section meets its legal purpose," AG submitted. The Court said that many pre-independence laws have been repealed by the government except the provision on sedition. "The government has repealed a number of laws now.I don't know why you are not looking into this," the Court said. "(If) some party doesn't want to hear the voice of other party they may use this type of law and implicate other people. Its a serious question for (freedom of) individuals," the Court further remarked. The Bench which also comprised Justices AS Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy then issued notice to the Central government in the matter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta accepted notice on behalf of the Centre. .Read more about the case here. .[Read Order].[Read Petition]