HC: Legitimate dissent can't be equated with sedition

It was alleged that Timma disseminated content on social media sympathetic to jailed MP Amritpal Singh

- Dinesh Bothra [e-mail]

JODHPUR: The Rajasthan High Court, emphasising that legitimate dissent cannot be equated with sedition or anti-national acts, has quashed an FIR registered against Sikh preacher Tejender Pal Singh Timma who was charged under Sections 152 and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly endangering India's unity and sovereignty through social media posts.

Justice Arun Monga, while delivering the verdict on December 16, emphasised that laws restricting speech must be narrowly tailored.

"There must be a direct and imminent connection between the speech and the likelihood of rebellion or secession to invoke such provisions," the judge noted.

The case originated from a complaint by Lakhvinder Singh, who alleged Timma had disseminated content on Facebook and WhatsApp sympathetic to Amritpal Singh, an MP under judicial custody.

He accused Timma of supporting Khalistan and inciting public unrest.