This story is from April 4, 2020

Sedition charges on Pantnagar University staffer after he asks people to take law in own hands

Sedition charges on Pantnagar University staffer after he asks people to take law in own hands
Dehradun: A case of sedition has been filed against Abhilakh Singh, a staffer of Pantnagar University, after he wrote a message on a WhatsApp group about poor condition of labourers during lockdown and urged people that they should take law and order in their own hands. Police have taken Singh’s phone in custody and further inquiry is being carried out in the matter.
Talking to TOI, Pramod Kumar, superintendent of police (crime), Udham Singh Nagar district, confirmed that a sedition case, under section 124 (A) of IPC, has been filed against Abhilakh Singh, who is a pump operator at Pantnagar University.

Kumar added, “He had written a provocative message against the police and government in a WhatsApp group. An FIR under section 124 A of IPC has been registered against him on the basis of the screenshot we have obtained from his phone.”
Commenting on the FIR against him, Singh told TOI that his message shouldn’t have invited a sedition charge.
“What police is doing to the poor and labourers is not hidden. We all have seen videos of people walking, crying for food and finally dying with nobody to help, not even police. What I have written is the truth of the society. If speaking your heart out falls under sedition, they can go ahead,” he added.
Meanwhile, the action against Singh has been criticised by several groups who have demanded removal of sedition charges against him.
Kailash Bhatt, president of Inqalabi Mazdoor Sangh, in a written statement to police and state government, wrote that “police has a personal grudge against Singh as he keeps fighting for the rights of poor and labourers.”
Former Congress president Kishore Upadhyay also condemned the police action, saying, “We condemn the FIR against a person who highlights the plight of the poor.”
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