July 15, 2021: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Central government as to whether the provision of Sedition under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was still needed after 75 years of independence.

“The sedition law is a colonial law and was used by the British and to suppress our freedom. It was used against Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak,” the court noted.

While stating that it would examine the validity of the sedition law and sought the Centre’s response over it, the apex court asked, “Is this law still needed after 75 years of Independence?”

The court said several petitions have challenged the sedition law and all will be heard together. “Our concern is misuse of the law and no accountability of the executive,” the court added.