SC rebukes Modi govt for slapping sedition case against scribe

New Delhi, Jul 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court today severely reprimanded Narendra Modi government for slapping a sedition case against a senior journalist for writing an article in a leading English daily, 'blaming middle classes of Gujarat for the success of hate politics' of Narendra Modi government in the state.

Petitioner, a 71-year-old journalist, Ashish Nandy had written an article in January 14, 2008 edition of the Times Of India, published from Ahmedabad in which he blamed 'the middle class population of the state for encouraging hate politics of Narendra Modi's government.' A vacation bench comprising Justices Altamas Kabir and G S Singhvi asked the Gujarat government, ''In a land of Gandhi if a journalist cannot write what he wants to, then what type of State is it. Prosecuting him for what? What are you investigating? You are targetting a journalist who is your soft target. If it is any political leader, we will be with you.'' The apex court stayed the arrest of Mr Nandy and also directed the state police not to call him to any police station.

Mr Nandy was directed by the police earlier to report to a police station on July 8, where a case under Section 153 (A) IPC has been registered against him.

The apex court directed Mr Nandy not to go to any police station.

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