Seeking quashing of the FIR under Sections 124A, 153A, 505 r/w 120B of the Indian Penal Code, ABN Andhrajyoti and TV5 channels based out of Andhra Pradesh have moved to the Supreme Court. The FIR with charges of sedition and to restrict the Channels from taking any coercive step against them has been filed by the Andhra Pradesh Police.

The basis of the FIR were the offensive speeches made on the Channel criticizing the ruling party on a segment hosted by the petitioners.

Besides the contention that the FIR fails to make out the offences against the petitioner, it is said that the petitioners have been restrained from approaching the Apex Court owing to the arrest of YSR MP K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju’s in furtherance of the FIR. It is further argued that the FIR against the petitioners has been made based on the fact that Mr. Raju was allotted a slot on the channel which is being considered a meeting of minds amongst the accused persons.

The plea concludes that the only purpose behind the FIR is to curb dissent in the State and prays to quash the impugned FIR as well as the Inquiry Report.

In another case related to the plea, the Supreme Court has ordered the YSR MP who has been arrested to be taken to Army Hospital considering the allegations of custodial torture.