'Sharmistha went to jail, Ruchika got away with apology': How law decides who's guilty

Two women faced legal action for online posts, raising questions about free speech. Sharmistha Panoli was jailed for remarks, while Ruchika Singh faces a zero FIR for alleged abuse. The law distinguishes between offensive speech and incitement, but courts grapple with this distinction. Harsh political remarks are not automatically criminal unless they meet specific legal elements. The article highlights the ongoing challenge of defining punishable speech in India.

By SHREEDHAR RATHI