New Delhi, Feb 21: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the sedition case registered against a Karnataka school management for allegedly allowing students to stage an anti-CAA, anti-NRC drama that 'portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poor light'.
The petition seeks quashing of the FIR against the principal and other staff of the Shaheen School at Bidar who have been booked under sections 124-A (sedition) and 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Indian Penal Code.
In the petition filed on Thursday, social activist Yogita Bhayana has also sought an apex court direction for a proper mechanism to deal with alleged government misuse of the sedition law.
Section 124A of the IPC says that "whoever brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards... the Government shall be punished with imprisonment for life...".
Bhayana, in the plea, has sought a direction to the Centre and the Karnataka government "to quash the FIR registered in connection of seditious charges against the school management, teacher and a widowed parent of a student for staging a play criticizing CAA, NRC, and NPR."
The petition claimed the police "also questioned students, and videos and screenshots of CCTV footage showing them speaking to the students were shared widely on social media, prompting criticism."
It further quoted the school principal, alleging that "on one occasion, police in uniform questioned students, with no child welfare officials present".
The plea said that the "proceedings were violative of Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution and abuse of process of law."
"Issue an order directing the Centre to constitute a committee to scrutinise complaints under 124-A IPC and adhere to judgments by the apex court before registering the FIR under the section 124-A IPC," the petition said.
The drama was staged on January 21 by students of fourth, fifth and sixth standard.
The sedition case was filed based on a complaint from social worker Neelesh Rakshyal on January 26.
The complainant has alleged that the school authorities "used" the students to perform a drama where they "abused" Modi in the context of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens.
Comments
Urgently he should visit a psychiatrist!!!! friends would you like to suggest any doctor in mangalore????
Even at this age Yeddi did not lose the sense of humour!
No doubt.. this time BJP will win and yeddy will be our CM.. Jai yeddy. Jai Bharat
BJP is the eonly one party in INDIA taking care of Muslim community. A small list as follow Beef Ban;Head Scarf ban; Objection on prayer call;Objection on religious teaching Madrasa now the latest with TAJ MAHAL.
Since bjp and their leaders are supporting from all corner with Muslim community then how the Muslims go against bjp. for Yeddi and Shobha they will support 100%
I am a muslim, and do not support BJP or yedyurappa
Modi wave we cant see not even in north states. In karnataka congress will win.
Yeddurappa proving he is shameless creature.. How can he say that.. He and his party all against Muslims and still telling that they are in good terms
Yeddy cant even dream of that.
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