Govt to review sedition law: Moily

Seeking justice: Chidambaram hails release of doctor-turned-activist

Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said that the country’s law to deal with sedition was ‘outdated’ and he would ask the Law Commission to review it.

Moily said that he would consult Home Minister P Chidambaram and set in motion the process to review and change the Section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code, which dealt with sedition.

“I will consult the Home Minister and after that the Law Commission could be asked to revisit laws relating to sedition,” said the Law Minister, reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to Sen.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge of Raipur had on December 24 last year held Sen guilty under provisions of the Section 124 IPC (Sedition) and 120 B of the IPC (Conspiracy) as well as Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act.

Spirit of Constitution

He added that there had been a debate that sedition laws did not reflect on the democratic aspirations of the country and the spirit of Constitution.

“I am happy to know that Binayak Sen has got bail from the Supreme Court. I have always believed that if one is not satisfied with a lower court order, one can get reprieve by approaching a higher court,” Chidambaram told journalists while reacting to the Supreme Court’s order granting bail to Sen.