"Every Soldier Takes Oath...": General Credited With Stalling Sedition Law
NDTV
The Supreme Court said no new FIRs should be filed for sedition and all pending cases will be on hold while the government reconsiders the law.
As the controversial sedition law was paused today and the government was asked by the Supreme Court to avoid filing fresh cases while it reviews the colonial-era rule, one of the petitioners, Major General Sudhir Vombatkere (retired), said he turned to the court when the Constitution that he swore to protect was being challenged.
"Every soldier takes an oath to defend the Constitution, they defend the Constitution even at the risk of their lives. And the country's borders are defended by the Armed Forces in order that the people within the country can sleep safely and enjoy the freedoms and rights that the Constitution gives. That is the reason for my taking up this case," said the General credited with stalling a 162-year-old colonial relic.
The Supreme Court said no new FIRs should be filed for sedition and all pending cases will be on hold while the government reconsiders the law. If any fresh cases are filed, those charged can approach the court. The government can pass directives to states to prevent misuse of the law, the judges said.
"It means immediate relief for hundreds charged with sedition as they can apply for bail and investigations will be stayed," said General Vombatkere on the impact of the historic order.
