Insulting PM is derogatory and irresponsible, but not sedition: Karnataka HC

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has noted that insulting words against constitutional figures like Prime Minister as derogatory and irresponsible behaviour. But the court also clarified that it is not treason. Justice Hemand Chandan Gounder of Kalburgi Bench of Karnataka High Court made this observation while dismissing a sedition case against a school management.

Bidar's New Town Police had registered a sedition case against Alauddin, Abdul Khaliq, Mohammad Bilal Imamdar and Mohammad Mehtab, the board members of Shaheen School here. The court stated that no seditious facts were found in the case under IPC 153(A).

"It is not treasonous to say that the Prime Minister should be slapped with shoes, it is insulting and irresponsible. Criticism of government policy is allowed. But the constitutional activists cannot be insulted for taking a policy decision.' court observed.

The controversial remarks were in a play performed by the children in the school premises. The controversy arose when the drama scenes were released through social media accounts. The court pointed out that the play was not performed by the children with the intention of disrupting communal harmony.