Manipur High Court on Internet Restoration: Directs State to Consider Whitelisting Mobile Numbers
The Manipur High Court, after an extended mobile internet blackout spanning almost 100 days, has directed the state government to mull over a mechanism to restore internet services through mobile phones. This would be achieved by “whitelisting” mobile numbers on a case-to-case basis. The directive was issued by the bench comprising Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, in response to several Public Interest Litigations (PILs) that called for the restoration of internet services in the state.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This significant order follows a previous directive from the High Court last month, which instructed the state government to lift the internet ban on Internet Lease Line (ILL) connections. This was provided that all stakeholders adhered to the safeguards recommended by an Expert Committee. Following this order, which was also upheld by the Supreme Court, the Manipur Government reinstated broadband services on July 25, after an 83-day internet shutdown that began on May 3. However, mobile internet services remain suspended.
During the hearing, the state’s counsel informed the court that in line with the High Court’s earlier directions, broadband services (ILL & FTTH) have been restored in a liberalized manner, subject to specific safeguards and conditions. Consequently, many citizens have since accessed these services. Regarding the mobile internet suspension, the state authorities revealed that they had conducted physical trials to lift the ban by whitelisting certain mobile numbers. The counsel added,
“As per the report submitted by service providers, there is no data leakage to any other numbers which are not whitelisted.”
Responding to this, the petitioners’ counsel argued,
“Since there has been no data leakage with regard to providing internet services to the whitelisted mobile phones, appropriate order can be passed by this Court directing the State Government to take necessary steps for whitelisting mobile phones in a gradual manner for providing internet services.”
Considering the petitioners’ submission, the state authorities requested two weeks to develop measures for whitelisting mobile phones. They also sought the liberty to consider whitelisting mobile numbers on a case-to-case basis and in a phased approach. The High Court granted this two-week period and has called for a report from the state government on their progress. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on August 31.
The committee will consist of:
- Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court
- Justice Asha Menon, former Judge of Delhi High Court
- Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, former Judge of Bombay High Court