Sedition charge against Amnesty International; video evidence holds key

Bengaluru, Aug 16: Investigations into the charges of sedition filed against Amnesty International would rely heavily on the videos taken at the event. A senior police officer told OneIndia that the culpability would be fixed based on the videos that have been shot at the event.

The Bengaluru Police filed a case of sedition against Amnesty International which organised an event on August 13 in which pro-Kashmir slogans were allegedly raised.

A panel discussion at the event had turned chaotic after a Kashmiri Pandit praised the Indian army at the event. Some youth from Kashmir present at the event got into a heated argument following which slogans demanding independence of Kashmir were allegedly raised.

Videos hold the key

Investigating officers say that the videos shot at the event hold the key to the probe. The officer also noted that they have a copy of the compact disc. It will be sent for forensic testing following which the same would be observed closely, the officer also noted.

The First Information Report has been registered and we are gathering all evidence in this regard, a police official said. The officer said that the FIR has been registered under IPC sections -- 142 (being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language).

The complaint was lodged by the ABVP, who also protested against the event terming it as anti-national. The ABVP also submitted a copy of the compact disc containing the video recording of the event.

In a statement released, Amnesty International said that the event was organised to seek justice for victims of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Towards the end of the event, some raised slogans which referred to calls for freedom.

Amnesty further said in the statement that it considers that the right to freedom of expression under international human rights law protects the right to peacefully advocate political solutions that do not involve incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

OneIndia News