Maharashtra Police Drop Sedition Charge Against Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut

In a significant development, the Maharashtra police have opted to drop the charge of sedition against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who serves as the executive editor of ‘Saamana’. The case stemmed from an alleged objectionable article against Prime Minister Narendra Modi published in the party mouthpiece. Initially filed on December 11 at the Umarkhed police station in Yavatmal, the FIR included sections 124 (A) (sedition), 153 (A), and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code, following a complaint lodged by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Yavatmal district coordinator.

Following thorough consultations and seeking legal opinions, the police decided to withdraw the sedition charge against Mr. Raut. The decision, according to an official statement, was influenced by previous Supreme Court rulings and discussions with a public prosecutor. Despite dropping this specific charge, the probe into the case continues as investigations are underway. The incident has drawn attention to the laws surrounding sedition, a provision that dates back to 1890 within the IPC, raising discussions about its contemporary relevance in a democratic society.

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