Supreme Court Issues Notice on Plea Challenging BNS Section 152 as ‘Repackaged Sedition Law’

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre on a plea by retired Army officer SG Vombatkere challenging Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alleging it is a repackaged form of the suspended sedition law under Section 124A IPC.

The petition contends that the provision’s vague and sweeping language criminalises a wide range of speech, violating Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 21 of the Constitution.

The petition argues that Section 152 permits arbitrary State action, has a chilling effect on free expression, and fails tests of proportionality and necessity.

The Bench sought the government’s response and tagged the matter with related cases.

[SG Vombatkere v Union of India]