Supreme Court Asks Advocate To Move Manipur HC Against FIR Over Fact-Finding Mission, Extends Interim Protection From Arrest

The Supreme Court on Monday extended the interim protection by four weeks, granted to Advocate Diksha Dwivedi, against whom an FIR was lodged after she took part in a fact-finding mission regarding the Manipur violence. The court granted liberty to Dwivedi to move the High Court of Manipur in the matter. The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Manoj Misra was hearing a writ petition filed by Dwivedi, an advocate against whom an FIR was registered by the Manipur police alleging offences of sedition, conspiracy to wage war against India etc, after she took part in a fact-finding mission regarding Manipur violence and held a press conference as part of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW).

Earlier, the Supreme Court had granted her interim protection from arrest and then extended the same till further hearing.

In today's proceedings, the court expressed its inclination towards extending protection granted to Dwivedi and asking her to appear before the Manipur High Court. Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Dwivedi in the matter, said that it might be difficult to approach the Manipur High Court in view of the situation prevailing there.

To this, SG Mehta, appearing for the State of Manipur, responded–

"If she can go give speeches in Manipur, if she can go and incite violence in Manipur, she can certainly go to the High Court."

Following the heated between the lawyers, CJI DY Chandrachud dictated the order stating that the interim protection was to be extended for four weeks and Dwivedi was granted liberty to appear online before the High Court of Manipur. Dave urged that four weeks was not enough owing to the serious online threats which were being faced by not just Dwivedi but also her instructive lawyer. To this, the Chief Justice said – 

"You have liberty to approach in case of any grievance."