The High Court has rejected a writ petition seeking a declaration that Section 124A of the Penal Code, which deals with sedition, is unconstitutional and should be repealed.
The bench of Justice Raziq-Al-Jalil passed the order on Monday.
Advocate Ishrat Hasan appeared for the petitioner during the hearing.
The writ petition was filed on January 20 by Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan, challenging the constitutional validity of the sedition provision.
The petition argued that the sedition law seriously undermines citizens’ freedom of expression, including their right to express opinions against the government.
It also said the law was enacted during the colonial era primarily to suppress the independence movement and is incompatible with a democratic Constitution.
According to the petition, Section 124A is contrary to the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 7, 26, 27, 31, 32 and 39 of the Constitution.
The petitioner, therefore, sought a rule declaring Section 124A unconstitutional and ineffective.