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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  SC issues notice to Centre against writ by FMP challenging defamation laws
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SC issues notice to Centre against writ by FMP challenging defamation laws

The court held that the petition will be coupled and heard along with one filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy challenging defamation laws on 14 July

Photo: MintPremium
Photo: Mint

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the government on a writ petition filed by the Foundation for Media Professionals (FMP) challenging defamation laws and some provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

A bench comprising judges Dipak Misra and Prafulla C. Pant held that the petition will be coupled and heard along with one filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy challenging defamation laws on 14 July.

The petition by FMP was argued by senior advocate Anup J. Bhambani, who challenged sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 which deal with defamation laws.

He said the sections were contrary to the provisions of Article 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The substantive law does not amount to being a “reasonable restriction" on the freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed under the Constitution, he argued.

FMP came into being in 2008 and was set up by a group of senior journalists to uphold media freedom and promote quality journalism.

Besides Swamy, Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have approached the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which define and punish defamation.

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Published: 09 Jul 2015, 10:36 PM IST
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