By In a major victory for civil liberties and the protection of political dissent, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that the National Security Act (NSA) cannot be used in cases of a political nature. The court’s decision is seen as a blow to the government’s ability to misuse the law to silence political opposition and dissenters.
The NSA allows the government to detain individuals without trial for up to 12 months if they are deemed a threat to national security. However, the law has been criticized for being misused against political opponents and activists.
The court’s decision was made in response to a petition filed by activist and politician Akhil Gogoi, who was detained under the NSA for his alleged involvement in anti-CAA protests in Assam. The court declared his detention illegal and ordered his immediate release.
The judges emphasized that the NSA can only be used in cases of public order, national security, or economic security. The use of the law in Gogoi’s case was deemed unwarranted, as the charges against him were of a political nature and did not pose a threat to national security.
The ruling is expected to have a significant impact on future cases where the NSA is invoked against political opponents. It sends a clear message that the government must respect the principles of democracy and uphold the rights of citizens to free speech and political expression.