TrialWatch is monitoring the crackdown on independent journalism in India, including whether India will continue to invoke its sedition law. This is part of TrialWatch’s global work protecting freedom of speech and advocating against the use of vague and antiquated laws that countries use to silence dissent.
Sedition
In India, the sedition law has been on hold since May 2022 by order of the Supreme Court, which is expected to decide on the law’s constitutionality. In parallel, the Parliament has replaced the sedition law with another broad and vague security law. The replacement does not impact ongoing cases, leaving the fate of these cases with the Indian Supreme Court. Examples of sedition cases include prominent journalists facing sedition charges for sharing tweets during the farmers’ protest in Delhi in 2021.
Criminal Defamation
In India, private parties may launch criminal defamation cases, giving rise to concern about Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). In partnership with Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute, TrialWatch is analyzing criminal SLAPPs around the world.
