SC Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Senior Journalist Vinod Dua but says Probe Can Go On [Read Order]

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On Sunday, the Supreme Court grants interim protection from Arrest to Senior Journalist Vinod Dua but refused to stay the probe into a sedition case lodged by Himachal Pradesh Police in Shimla.

In a special hearing conducted via video-conferencing, a three-judge Bench headed by Justice UU Lalit asked Dua to join the probe and cooperate with the police in the process.

The Bench—which also included Justice MM Shantanagoudar and Justice Vineet Sharan—issued notices to the Himachal Pradesh Government and the Centre on Dua’s petition seeking quashing of the FIR.

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The Bench issued the following Directions:

  1. Pending further orders, the petitioner shall not be arrested in connection with the present crime;
  2. However, the petitioner in terms of the offer made by him in his communication dated 12.06.2020, shall extend full cooperation through Video Conferencing or Online mode; and
  3. The Himachal Pradesh Police shall be entitled to carry on the investigation including interrogation of the petitioner at his residence after giving him 4 prior notice of 24 hours and complying with the Social Distancing norms prescribed during Covid-19 Pandemic.

The affidavit in reply filed on behalf of the State shall indicate the steps taken during investigation and a complete Status Report shall be filed before the next date of hearing. The concerned Investigating Officer shall remain personally present in case the open Court hearing is resumed by this Court or shall be available in case the proceedings are taken up through Video Conferencing mode

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Read Order here:

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