By The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark ruling, stating that the National Security Act (NSA) cannot be used in cases of a political nature.
The court’s decision comes as a victory for civil liberties and the protection of political dissent in the country.
The NSA allows the government to detain individuals without trial for up to 12 months if they are considered a threat to national security. However, there have been concerns that the law has been misused to silence political opponents and dissenters.
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 ruled that his detention was illegal and ordered his immediate release.
The judges emphasized that the NSA can only be invoked 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 NSA allows the government to detain individuals without trial for up to 12 months if they are considered a threat to national security. However, there have been concerns that the law has been misused to silence political opponents and dissenters.
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 ruled that his detention was illegal and ordered his immediate release.
The judges emphasized that the NSA can only be invoked 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.