38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 28, 2024
Judiciary

Gujarat High Court Quashes Sedition Case Against Journalist Who Reported on a Possible Change in State Leadership

By Parul Singhal      10 November, 2020 12:55 PM      0 Comments
Gujarat HC Sediction Dhaval Rajnikant

The Gujarat High Court on Friday (6th November) quashed a sedition case registered against a journalist Dhaval Rajnikant Patel for allegedly publishing a report on a possible change in state leadership due to criticism over the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the State. 

The background of the case is that Dhaval published an article in the Web Portal called “Face the Nation” wherein he stated that looking to the failure of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, he is likely to be replaced. The replacing of CM comment led to the filing of a complaint against him by the CID crime branch and therefore, the petitioner moved an application before the High Court for the quashing of the complaint which was entertained and placed for final hearing. 

The counsel for the petitioner rendered an unconditional apology wherein he stated, “I tender my unconditional for allegedly offending article published by me in my web portal face of the Nation basis which the impugned FIR has been registered against me. An unconditional apology is without prejudice and without admission of any guilt”.

The Court observed that, “Since the present petitioner is a young journalist and he has begun his career and that from the deepest corner of his heart, the petitioner has tendered apology as quoted above and therefore, this Court is satisfied with the apology tendered by the petitioner”. 

The Court was of the opinion that the interest of justice would be served if the proceedings/FIR is quashed.

The petitioner was asked that when he may publish an article in the future, no such comments be used against any constitutional functionaries without verification and he shall be cautious of not repeating the same. 

Dhaval Patel, as per a report of the Indian Express, was booked under Indian Penal Code Section 124A for sedition and Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 which states punishment for false warning by the Ahmedabad Detection of Crime Branch. 

The bench of Justice Sudhir Mittal remarked that, “The State needs to be more tolerant and circumspect while invoking laws pertaining to sedition and religious disaffection. The current tendency to the contrary has been frowned upon by the Supreme Court of India.



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

sc-declines-to-reconsider-judgement-holding-conspiracy-to-be-scheduled-offence-under-pmla-only-if-offence-specifically-mentioned
Trending Judiciary
SC declines to reconsider judgement holding conspiracy to be scheduled offence under PMLA only if offence specifically mentioned [Read Order]

Supreme Court declines review, confirms conspiracy must relate to a scheduled offence under PMLA, dismissing appeal on money laundering charges.

27 March, 2024 07:40 PM
arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM

TOP STORIES

global-entertainment-giants-warner-bros-netflix-amazon-get-relief-from-delhi-hc-in-copyright-protection-case
Trending Business
Global entertainment giants Warner Bros, Netflix, Amazon get relief from Delhi HC in copyright protection case

Delhi HC grants relief to global entertainment giants like Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros, ordering takedown of copyrighted content on rogue websites.

22 March, 2024 12:13 PM
arvind-kejriwal-arrested-can-cm-administer-a-region-while-being-in-jail
Trending Top Stories
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested | Can CM administer a region while being in jail?

Will President's rule be imposed in Delhi after Kejriwal’s arrest? Read the full article to know more.

22 March, 2024 03:16 PM
merely-because-you-are-politician-cant-bypass-statutory-remedies-procedure-sc-refuses-to-consider-bail-by-kavitha
Trending Judiciary
'Merely because you are politician, can't bypass statutory remedies, procedure,' SC refuses to consider bail by Kavitha

Supreme Court denies bail to politician Kavitha in Delhi Liquor Policy Scam; ED alleges Rs 100 crore illegal gratification.

22 March, 2024 03:34 PM
ponmudi-to-be-sworn-in-as-minister-tn-governor-relents-before-sc
Trending Judiciary
Ponmudi to be sworn in as Minister, TN Governor relents before SC

Tamil Nadu Governor relents to Supreme Court's order, agrees to swear in DMK leader K Ponmudi as Minister after court's rap.

22 March, 2024 03:54 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email