`Dissent with govt can`t be termed seditious`: Supreme Court junks plea against Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR, March 03, 2021:The Supreme Court has refused to hear the PIL filed by a person named Rajat Sharma, requesting an order against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.

The petition said that the statement made by Farooq Abdullah allegedly regarding the removal of Article 370 of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir should be punished.

The top court’s observation came on a plea filed by Rajat Sharma and others through advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari. The SC also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the petitioners for filing the plea against Abdullah. The plea cited alleged remarks made by Abdullah that he sought the help of China and Pakistan against India on Article 370.

While considering whether the court should hear the matter or not, the Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul refused to file the case and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Rajat Sharma.

The court said that it would not be treason for the government to have a different opinion about the decisions.

Earlier, the National Conference (NC) had rubbished reports that Farooq Abdullah, during a television interview, said that Article 370 of the Constitution will be restored in the Kashmir Valley with China`s help.

The plea said, “The act of Abdullah is very serious against the interest of the nation therefore he deserves to be removed from the Parliament.” (PTK)