MUMBAI: Obscenity or vulgarity by itself cannot be a factor for considering whether a case falls within the purview of section 124 A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, states a circular issued by the home department on Wednesday.

The circular has been issued on
the directions of the Bombay high court, which, on a criminal PIL, laid down guidelines to be followed by police personnel while invoking section 124A. The judgment was delivered in March this year by a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice N M Jamdar.