The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the Madhya Pradesh government on a plea filed by former SIMI chief Safdar Nagori, who is seeking clarity on the continued stay of the sedition law that has effectively stalled his pending appeal in the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Appeal Delayed Due To Sedition Law Freeze
Nagori’s counsel appeared before a vacation bench and submitted that while his client has already served sentences for multiple terrorism-related charges, including possession of arms and plotting anti-national activities, his appeal against a life sentence under the sedition charge (Section 124A of the IPC) remains in limbo.
Though arguments in the sedition-related appeal have already concluded before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a final verdict has not been delivered due to the Supreme Court’s earlier order keeping Section 124A in abeyance.
Supreme Court To Hear Matter In July
Taking note of these concerns, the apex court issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government and listed the matter for further hearing in the second week of July.
Nagori is seeking clarification on whether the High Court can proceed to pronounce its judgment in his appeal despite the ongoing freeze on the sedition law’s enforcement.
Background
In 2017, a Madhya Pradesh district court convicted Nagori and 11 others under multiple charges, including sedition, and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The convictions stemmed from their arrest in March 2008 by a Special Task Force, which alleged that the group was in possession of weapons, explosives, and was plotting anti-national activities as part of their operations under the banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
Legal Uncertainty Around Sedition Law
The sedition law, a colonial-era provision under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, was effectively suspended by the Supreme Court in 2022, which directed all pending trials, appeals, and proceedings under the provision to be put on hold until the Union government completed its review of the law.
Nagori’s case now highlights the legal uncertainty caused by the suspension, especially in cases where individuals have been convicted and are awaiting final decisions on their appeals.
The Supreme Court’s decision in the coming weeks could set a precedent for how courts handle such appeals where proceedings have been paused due to the freeze on the sedition statute.
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