Supreme Court Allows Trials Under Sedition Law for Consenting Accused
On May 21, the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, permitted trials under the now-repealed Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code for accused individuals who do not object. This decision partially revives the colonial-era sedition law for those willing to proceed, amid ongoing challenges to its constitutionality. The clarification arose from a case involving Kamran, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017, whose appeal had been stalled since May 2022 due to a prior Supreme Court order. The court's ruling aims to expedite trials and reduce judicial backlog, but raises concerns about unequal treatment of accused individuals and the potential implications for free speech. The constitutionality of Section 124A remains under review in pending petitions, leaving many citizens uncertain about their legal standing.
Published 2 hours ago • 15 Jul 2026, 06:56 PM IST