PTA is nearly identical to the proposed section 291C of the Penal Code in Hate speech Bill – Petitioner

A  petition were filed in the Supreme Courts Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of Bill titled ‘Penal Code (Amendment) Bill’ placed on the Order Paper.

The Bill seeks to introduce a new provision (Section 291C) to the Penal Code, No. 11 of 1887. A further Bill seeking to amend the Criminal Procedure Code Act, No. 15 of 1979 was also placed on the Order Paper.

The petitioner Arun Arokianathan, the Editor-in-Chief of Sudar Oli, urged Supreme Courts to “Declare the Bill titled ‘Penal Code (Amendment) Bill’ and/or any one or more of its provisions as being inconsistent with Articles 10 and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution, and therefore may only be enacted by following the procedure laid down in Article 83 of the Constitution”. Tamil National Alliance MP M. A. Sumanthiran is appearing for the petitioner.