Sedition case against Dua: HP police submit probe report in sealed cover before SC

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 15

Himachal Pradesh Police on Wednesday submitted its report to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover on probe into a sedition case against senior journalist Vinod Dua at the instance of a local BJP leader.

A Bench headed by Justice UU Lalit was informed in the morning that the report asked for by the court has been submitted. The Bench said the matter would be taken up at the end of the board but couldn’t be heard.

Now it’s likely to be taken up next week.

The top court had on July 7 extended protection from arrest till July 15 for senior journalist Vinod Dua who is facing a sedition case in Himachal Pradesh.

It had directed the Himachal Pradesh Police to file report on probe into the case against Dua probe in a sealed cover. It had said if satisfied with the petitioner’s contentions, it would quash the FIR.

On June 14, it had refused to stay the probe into the sedition case against Dua but protected him from arrest.

It had asked Dua to join the probe and cooperate with the police in the process through video conferencing or online mode. Police can interrogate Dua at his residence in Delhi after giving him a 24-hour prior notice, it added.

The top court also deferred to August 6 hearing on TV anchor Amish Devgan’s petition seeking quashing of multiple FIRs for his alleged remarks against Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti as notices had not been served to all the parties.

A Bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar had on June 26 stayed coercive action against Devgan in the case.

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