Holding a different view from the government does not invite sedition, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday, dismissing a PIL seeking action against the former Chief Minister of Jammy and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah for his comments on abrogation of Article 370 of the constitution, Live Law reported.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hemant Gupta said "It is not seditious to have views different from the Govt," and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the petitioners for making such claims.
The PIL, filed by Rajat Sharma and Neh Srivastava, alleged that the National Conference leader sought help from Pakistan and China on this issue and wanted to hand over the Kashmir to China.
Also Read | UPSC Exam: No extra chance if attempts exhausted last year, says Supreme Court
The Srinagar was put under detention in his home after the revocation of Article 370 for more than 6 months. He was later released on March 13, 2020.
The central government in August 2019, scrapped the provision of article 370, bifurcating the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Also Read | “Right to protest cannot be anytime & everywhere,” says Supreme Court
(With inputs from Live Law)
