The Supreme Court quashed the FIR registered by Himachal Pradesh police against journalist Vinod Dua last year for his alleged accusatory comments in his YouTube channel against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The bench of Justices U.U. Lalit and Vineet Saran noted that the plea sought directions for quashing of FIR and directions regarding formation of a committee. The Respondent made an objection.
“We have granted the first prayer and quashed the FIR. Any relief granted under the second prayer is with the Legislature. Every journalist should be protected under the Kedarnath Singh Judgement,” noted the Bench.
The Court said, “In conclusion we quash the FIR registered against Vinod Dua. But the Court rejected Dua’s plea for setting up of a high-level committee in each state to examine sedition charges slapped against journalists of 10 year standing.”