Veteran journalist Vinod Dua has received another respite from harassment when the Supreme Court bench headed by Justice UU Lalit posted the matter for next Monday (July 27).
In court today (July 20) with the bench hearing Dua’s petition seeking the quashing of FIR’s registered against him in different cities Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested an adjournment of “one or two days”.
Senior Counsel Vikas Singh, appearing for Dua, opposed the adjournment, saying: “This is not fair. Questionnaire after Questionnaire is being sent to me. Further, if the Solicitor General wants an adjournment, I am seeking a stay. My Lords have stayed many matters. I don’t understand why this cannot be stayed, when all others are. What are they getting by keeping this Sword of Damocles hanging over me?”
The bench, however, posted the matter for next Monday and said that Dua is not required to answer any questionnaire (sent by the police or any agency).
Dua is seeking a stay on FIRs accusing him of sedition and other charges filed against him in different cities.
The Delhi High Court had previously ordered a stay on an FIR filed against Dua for allegedly spreading fake news on the communal violence in Delhi in February through his YouTube show.
After this, similar FIRs were filed in Shimla regarding the same show, and the Shimla Police had summoned Dua in connection with the sedition charge, accusing him of spreading fake news and instigating violence.
– India Legal Bureau