NEW DELHI: Delhiโs Patiala House Court has granted permission to the Delhi Police to withdraw the 2019 sedition case against former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Shehla Rashid. The case pertained to her tweets alleging misconduct by the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir.
In August 2019, Rashid posted a series of tweets claiming that the Indian Army was involved in human rights violations in Kashmir, including entering houses at night and torturing residents.
These allegations were made following the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
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The Indian Army promptly refuted these claims, labeling them as โbaseless and unverified.โ Subsequently, an FIR was registered against Rashid under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, based on a complaint by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava.
The prosecution moved an application to withdraw the case, stating that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi had rescinded the sanction to prosecute Rashid. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Anuj Kumar Singh of the Patiala House Courts approved this application on February 27, 2025.
The courtโs decision has elicited varied reactions. Supporters of Rashid view it as a vindication of free speech, while critics argue that such withdrawals could set a precedent for political interference in judicial matters.
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Rashid has consistently maintained that her statements were within the bounds of free speech and aimed at highlighting alleged human rights violations.
The court approved the withdrawal of the prosecution, closing the sedition case against Shehla Rashid. This development underscores the complexities surrounding issues of free speech, national security, and the role of the judiciary in adjudicating such matters.