General
Supreme Court puts sedition law on hold, no new FIRs to be lodged till review is complete
The Supreme Court on Wednesday urged the Centre and state governments to refrain from registering any FIRs invoking sedition provision, Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, till review of the law by the Centre is complete.
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli said till the review of the sedition provision by the Centre is complete, the governments should not use the sedition provision.
In an interim order, the bench said no new FIRs should be lodged under the sedition provision and those already in jail can approach courts for relief.
The Centre proposed issuing an advisory to the state governments that only a police officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) — who may record in writing the reasons for a case involving sedition provision (Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code) — as it cannot prevent police from registering a cognizable offence under sedition provision.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted that the government proposes that a police officer of the level of SP or above should decide, for now, on whether a sedition charge should be filed in future FIRs. He added that as the government reviews the sedition law, pending sedition cases can be reviewed, and the courts can decide on the bail application of those under Section 124A IPC, expeditiously.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing one of the petitioners, contended that Section 124A has become prima facie unconstitutional and the apex court must stay application of the sedition provision, till the Centre reviews the provision.
Mehta submitted that as far as pending cases are concerned, gravity of each case is not known, maybe there is a terror angle, and also the pending cases are before judicial forum. “We need to trust the courts,” he added.
Justice Kant told Sibal, “What is this argument…Can it be struck down today?” The bench added that it is looking for an answer who can be an impartial authority, in the view of Centre’s proposal, and asked Sibal what an arrangement in the interregnum can be done.
On Tuesday, the top court had sought the Centre’s response on pending and future cases registered under the sedition law.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in its affidavit said the Prime Minister of India has been cognizant of various views expressed on the subject and has also periodically, in various forums, expressed his clear and unequivocal views in favour of protection of civil liberties, respect for human rights and giving to the constitutionally cherished freedoms to the people of the country.
The home ministry added that the Prime Minister has repeatedly said that one of India’s strengths is the diverse thought streams that beautifully flourish in the country. The ministry said the Prime Minister believes that at a time when the nation is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Independence), as a nation it is essential to work harder to shed colonial baggage that passed its utility, which includes outdated colonial laws and practices.
“The Government of India, being fully cognizant of various views being expressed on the subject of sedition and also having considered the concerns of civil liberties and human rights, while committed to maintain and protect the sovereignty and integrity of this nation, has decided to re-examine and re-consider the provisions of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which can only be done before the competent forum,” said the affidavit.
Maharashtra
Police attacked during group clash in Kandivali… Five arrested, police in action mode, case registered

Mumbai: The police have claimed to have arrested five people for attacking the police in the Kandivali area, while two are still absconding. According to details, some people attacked the police in Ekta Nagar, Kandivali, and after this attack, the video went viral on social media, after which the police immediately registered a case and arrested five accused. According to details, at 8:45 pm last night, violence was going on between two groups in Laljipara Ekta Nagar. Bhim Kanojia, a member of one of the groups, complained to the bat marshal and the bat marshal here instructed Pappu Jha to go to the police station and asked him to sit in the van. During this, he started arguing and arguing with the complainant, in addition to abusing him. When police officer Kanbhare and police havaldar Khot reached to help the complainant, he also beat them up and interfered in official work, after which the police arrested Vicky Singh, Pappu Jha from the spot in this case, while Chandrakant Jha, Suman Jha and Guddu Jha were arrested later. So far, 5 people have been arrested in this case. The police have registered a case against the accused on the complaint of the complainant Sagar Saddam Babar, a 32-year-old policeman. The police have booked them under sections of BNS. A case has been registered under sections 121(1), 221, 189(3), 191(2), 190, 324, 352 of the IPC and the search for the absconding accused is underway, confirmed DCP Sandeep Jadhav. He said that CCTV footage is also being taken for further action in this matter and a police team has been mobilized to identify the accused. The incidents of attacks on the police have increased to an alarming extent, after which the issue of police safety has now arisen. While the police provide protection to the public, now the attack on the police by miscreants is alarming. Earlier, an attack was also carried out on the police in Malad, after which a case was registered and the accused were paraded.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Civic Body Elections to Be Held on January 15; Counting Scheduled for January 16

Mumbai: (Kamar Ansari) The State Election Commission has announced that elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be conducted on January 15, with the counting of votes scheduled for January 16. The announcement brings clarity on the long-awaited civic polls in India’s financial capital.
The Election Commission announced the schedule for elections to 29 municipal corporations, stating that nomination papers for all municipal corporation polls will be accepted only in offline mode, and the voter list will be based on the July 25, 2025 electoral roll.
Election Schedule
Nomination Period: December 23 to December 30, 2025
Scrutiny of Applications: December 31, 2025
Withdrawal of Candidature: January 2, 2026
Final Candidate List & Symbol Allotment: January 3, 2026
Polling Date: January 15, 2026
Counting of Votes: January 16, 2026
The Mumbai civic elections form part of the broader Maharashtra local body election process, which includes polls for municipal corporations, municipal councils, and other local bodies across the state. The decision aims to complete the entire election process within the stipulated legal timeframe.
The BMC, India’s richest civic body, has been functioning without an elected house for several years and has remained under administrative control. The upcoming elections are expected to restore elected representation and accountability in the city’s civic governance.
Political parties have begun preparations for an intensive campaign, with key civic issues such as road conditions, water supply, solid waste management, flood control, housing redevelopment, and environmental protection expected to dominate the election discourse.
The State Election Commission is likely to issue a detailed election programme in the coming days, including nomination schedules, scrutiny dates, and campaigning guidelines. Security arrangements and election machinery are also being put in place to ensure a smooth and transparent polling process across Mumbai.
The announcement has generated significant political activity, with all major parties viewing the BMC elections as a crucial contest that will shape Mumbai’s administrative and political future.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra: Abu Asim Azmi presents bill in the House against religious hatred and blasphemy, application of MCOCA and UAPA also included in the draft bill

Mumbai: Nagpur Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi presented a private bill in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly against those who spread blasphemy and religious hatred. The bill demands action against hate elements and calls for action under MCOCA and UAPA against those who spread religious hatred, in addition to ten years of imprisonment and a bail of Rs 2 lakh so that sectarians do not get bail and such cases of spreading religious hatred are banned. He told the House that there has been an increase in cases of blasphemy in the country and in such a situation, tension arises in the country. Action should be taken against such elements to maintain law and order. This will be possible only when action is taken against such sectarians who promote a hate agenda under the guise of freedom of expression. He said that the Supreme Court had also issued an order for strict action against hate elements and miscreants and has banned inflammatory and hate speech. In such a situation, Maharashtra The bill has been formally introduced in the House to take action against those who spread religious hatred and incite hatred against important people. The draft bill proposes to register a case against communalists under the section of the MCOCA UAPA, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years, so that such elements cannot be granted bail.
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