Bombay High Court quashes Mumbai Police externment order against SDPI members
The Bombay High Court has quashed an externment order against two SDPI members, ruling that expressing political opinions like criticizing the Babri Masjid demolition is not anti-national. The court criticized the police for selective action and noted that the FIRs lacked evidence of potential harm.
Why it matters
This ruling reinforces the protection of free speech and political dissent against administrative overreach in India.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) quashed the externment order issued by the Mumbai Police against two Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) functionaries. “Babri Masjid mosque should not have been demolished” is not an anti-national remark, and citizens have the right to hold such views, the court said.
A police externment order bans or expels an individual from a locality or district.
“The petitioners are targeted as several such FIRs (First Information Report) are against all political parties. Did you take any action against the political parties? Then selectively [action] should not be taken. The action was taken just because they belong to one religion?” Justice Madhav Jamdar, who was hearing the petition, said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in