Kevin Moses Paul
07 February 2021
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.
Yes, a minister can also be booked u/s 124(a), because of the presence of RULE OF LAW doctrine, which declares that - "Everyone Is Equal Before The Eyes Of Law."
Therefore, be it a beggar or a minister all are equal before law and hence everyone is treated equally without any such partiality.
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