SC restrains Himachal Pradesh police from arresting Vinod Dua in sedition case, refuses to stay probe

The apex court on Sunday directed that renowned journalist Vinod Dua should not be arrested till July 6 and there shall be no stay on the ongoing probe undertaken by the Himachal Pradesh police.

New Delhi: In a relief to journalist Vinod Dua, the Supreme Court in a special hearing on Sunday ordered that he should not be arrested till July 6 in a sedition case lodged against him in Himachal Pradesh over his YouTube show.

The top court said that Dua will have to join the investigation and there shall be no stay on the ongoing probe undertaken by the Himachal Pradesh police.

A bench of justices U U Lalit, M M Shantanagoudar and Vineet Saran issued notices to the Centre and the state government and sought their responses within two weeks.

Through his plea, Dua sought protection against arrest and no coercive actions in connection with FIRs registered against him in many states pertaining to alleged incitement of communal hatred.

A sedition case was filed against Dua following a complaint by a local BJP leader in Shimla over his YouTube show.

(With inputs from PTI)