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Considering a plea filed by Ayesha Sulthana, seeking to quash the FIR registered against her at the Kavaratti Police Station for charges of sedition viz. her comments against the Government regarding Coronavirus being used as a "bio-weapon" against the people, the Kerala High Court on Friday refused to stay further proceedings.

Dismissing the plea, the High Court said that investigation in the case is in preliminary stage and more time may be required for completing the probe. Also, the court directed the Lakshadweep administration to provide details of the investigation in the next hearing of the case.

Today a Single Bench of Kerala High Court at Ernakulam comprised of Justice Ashok Menon considered Sulthana’s application filed  by her on Wednesday, June 30 for quashing the FIR against her and stay of further proceedings. Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) Aman Lekhi appeared for the Union Territory Administration assisted by the Standing Counsel S. Manu.

The ASG submitted that there is no merit in the request for quashing the FIR. He argued that the activist made seditious assertion and repeated it showing her intention clearly. He firmly asserted that the offences alleged definitely would lie against the accused. He further argued that quashing of FIR is permissible only in limited circumstances and such grounds are lacking in this case.

However, the petitioner’s Counsel Advocate Akber pressed for stay. Justice Menon told him that the police should be given enough time for investigation. He firmly said that no interim order can be granted and directed the Administration to inform the progress of investigation in the next hearing of the case.

The Court also clarified that the Administration can file statement of objection and posted the case after two weeks for further hearing.

Ayesha Sulthana @ Ayshommabi A.M., a well-known director in the Malyalam Film Industry,  is the sole accused in a case registered under Section 124 A (Sedition), 153 B (hate speech) of Indian Penal Code, 1860 at Kavaratti Police Station of Union Territory of Lakshadweep. 

It is alleged that on 07^th June, 2021 in a panel discussion on a news channel, Ayesha stated that Central Government had used “Bio-weapon” against the native of the Island. This statement received public outrage as well as it instigated a distress among the public. Later on. She continued to support her statement and stood by her intentions.

Last week Sulthana was interrogated by the Kavaratti police thrice last week in connection with the case. However, the High Court has granted her anticipatory bail in this sedition case.