'Disagreeing with government view is not sedition': SC dumps plea against Farooq Abdullah

The Apex court bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hemant Gupta said that disagreement with central government's views and policies cannot attract the charge of sedition.

The Supreme Court today rejection a petition filed against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah for his views on abrogation on Article 370 of the Constitution, stating that not agreeing with the views of the government did not tantamount to sedition.
 

The Apex court bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hemant Gupta said that dissent towards the central government's views and policies cannot attract the charge of sedition.
 

The petition had been filed after Abdullah allegedly sought the help of China and Pakistan against India on restoring Article 370 of the Constitution during a television debate.

The National Conference, however, said that the remarks had been twisted and taken out of context.
 

The petition demanded that the leader's membership of Parliament be terminated and sedition charges are slapped on him under Section 124-A of IPC.
 

However, the Apex court saw no merit in the plea and while dismissing the petition directed the petitioners to deposit Rs 50,000 for filing the PIL.