Legally defensible but politically indefensible

First high-profile FIR lodged under Section 152, formerly law of sedition.

- SEEMA SINDHU

An FIR has been lodged against Rahul Gandhi in Guwahati by a private person under section 152 and 197 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for a part of his speech "The BJP and the RSS have captured very single institution of our country. We are now fighting the BJP, RSS and the Indian state itself". BJP was prompt to call his words coming from George Soros playbook.

Section 152 pertains to Acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India and section 197 Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integrity. Both the sections are cognizable and nonbailable meaning the accused can be arrested without a warrant and can't be given bail by police as matter of right - it's the discretion of the court.