Soni Satti
A Supreme Court bench dismissed a PIL against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, observing that “Expression of views which are dissent and different from government opinion cannot be termed as seditious.” The Supreme Court Bench was headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.
The apex court was hearing a PIL against Farooq Abdullah, which is linked to his remarks protesting against the government’s move to end special status to J&K under Article 370.
‘’ Whatever they (China) are doing at LAC in Ladakh all because of the abrogation of Article 370, which they never accepted. I am hopeful that with their support, Article 370 will be restored in J&K,” the former J&K CM had said.
The plea cited the above remarks made by Abdullah and alleged that he sought the help of China and Pakistan against India on Article 370. The plea was filed by Rajat Sharma and others through advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari.
“For that, if the action of Farooq Abdullah is allowed and he is allowed to continue as a Member of Parliament, it would amount to approval of all anti-national activities by anyone in India”, added the plea. The apex court dismissed the petition and the bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hemant Gupta said dissent cannot be termed seditious and further imposed a tremendous of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner.
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