As we all are aware of, last year an incident took place in which a 14 year old girl in Bangalore raised slogans of "Pakistan Zindabad" can such a person be arrested on the basis of sedition?
Can raising slogans against the Central Government also an offence according to sedition?If yes, does this mean sedition contradicts the right of speech and expression of an individual?
Which provision states or describes sedition in Indian Law?
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. The offence of sedition was drafted by Thomas Babington Macaulay and included in the IPC in 1870.
Section 124A of the IPC, which deals with sedition, states, "Whoever, words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine."
Sedition is a non-bailable offence. Punishment under the law varies from imprisonment up to three years to a life term and fine. A person charged under this law can't apply for a government job. They have to live without their passport and must present themselves in the court as and when required.
