In a Special Sunday Sitting, the Supreme Court heard journalist Vinod Dua’s plea seeking protection from arrest & all other coercive action in connection with FIRs filed against him in various states.
New Delhi| In a Special Sunday Sitting, the Supreme Court heard Senior Journalist and HW News Network’s Consultant Editor Vinod Dua’s plea, seeking protection from arrest & all other coercive action in connection with FIRs filed against him in various states. The FIRs have claimed that Mr. Dua tried to spread communal hatred and misinformation through his show.
Talking about the FIR registered in Shimla by a BJP spokesperson against Mr. Dua under sedition charges, Advocate Viks Singh appearing for Vinod Dua said police personnel came to Dua’s residence and he was asked to report to the police station in Shimla.
When asked about the complainant by the court, Adv. Singh replied, “He appears to be a BJP spokesperson in Himachal. I have the transcript on record, what he (VinodDua) has said is not sedition. If my lords want, I can also play the video on the screen.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the union as well as the state. SG Mehta told the SC bench that if it’s going to issue a notice, he will not trouble the “my lords”. The bench directed him to respond to notice and what shall be the proceedings in the interim.
Adv. Singh stressed that if what Mr. Dua has said is sedition, then only two channels will work in this country. He also requested the court to stay the FIRs registered against Vinod Dua in different states. “Its a video clip, it should have been investigated. This is a clear case of genuinity,” Adv. Singh said.
Despite Adv. Singh’s several requests, the bench said it is not inclined to stay the investigation.
The bench in its order refused to stay the investigation and asked for a status report on the probe by the State Government. The Investigating Authorities (HP Police) have been directed to give 24-hour prior notice to Mr. Dua before they’d want to interrogate him in accordance with the law.
The bench also directed Mr. Dua to fully cooperate with the investigation. The matter is listed again for hearing on 6 July, 2020. The court has also directed that Mr. Dua will not be arrested till the next date of hearing- July 6. The police may interrogate Mr. Dua at his residence.
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