Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will appear for the Central Govt in the petition by journalist Vinod Dua in the #SupremeCourt today. Sr adv Vikas Singh is expected to represent Dua.
Hearing starts at 11 am.
Dua's petition asks for a stay on all coercive processes against him, including possibility of arrest, apart from exemption to appear before the Shimla police today in connection with the sedition FIR there. The plea also seeks certain guidelines on FIRs against journalists.
Hearing commences.
Vikas Singh says Dua was expected to show up before #Shimla police y'day but he didn't appear. Cops came looking from him in #Delhi but he was lucky that he wasn't arrested.
Singh adds Dua is over 65 & why should such kind of reporting invite sedition charges
60% of the country might be inviting sedition if speaking against Govt entails that charge, says Singh.
Bench asks about the complainant in the sedition case. Singh replies he is apparently a spokesperson of the #BJP but the complaint doesn't say so.
#SupremeCourt says it will issue notices to Union of India & #HimachalPradesh Govt. SG Tushar Mehta accepts notices on behalf of both Centre & state.
Singh asks for staying the #FIR. I telecast everyday & FIRs are to be registered like this, only two channels that toe the Govt's line will survive in this country.
Justice Lalit objects, asks Singh to apologise for naming those who aren't party to the case. Singh apologises.
#SupremeCourt issues notices to Centre, HP Govt, fixing July 6 as the next date of hearing as SG Tushar Mehta asks for two weeks to file replies.
Lalit J: We won't stay the investigation at this stage.
Singh: It will send a wrong signal.
Lalit J: Whether it will send a right signal or a wrong signal, it is for us to decide.
#SupremeCourt refuses to stay the investigation against Vinod Dua, asks for a status report on probe by the police. SC says Dua, if required, should appear through video-conferencing.
#HimachalPradesh Police is entitled to carry out investigation, including at his residence after a prior notice of 24 hours, orders the #SupremeCourt.
Vinod Dua can't be arrested till the next date ie July 6 but he must cooperate with the cops and join investigation.
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.