Uttarakhand High Court says, “Dignity of women is absolutely non-negotiable.” It orders the takedown of social media posts targeting a woman lawyer who secured acquittal for a POCSO case accused, urging respect and prompt legal action.
The Uttarakhand High Court urged various social media platforms to remove inflammatory posts targeting a woman lawyer, whose clients were acquitted by the Supreme Court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
Earlier this week, the High Court took suo motu cognizance of the social media activity, noting that one message clearly incited violence, suggesting that someone could hire a killer.
Additionally, some posts were found to undermine the Supreme Court’s ruling.
One post stated,
“Shoot this one too, and along with it, ……., as well.”
Another post mentioned,
“Give betel nut to known people for such individuals,” likely referencing the term “supari,” which means betel nut.
Following the court’s directive, the state police requested social media platforms like X to delete these posts.
During a hearing on September 25, the police informed a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay that two Personal Security Officers had been assigned to protect the woman lawyer. They identified three primary posts, which had been widely shared, along with 10 other objectionable comments.
The police stated that instructions had been given to social media platforms to remove the content.
In its order, the Court expressed hope that platforms such as WhatsApp, Meta, Facebook, and X would respond promptly to these directives.
The Court stated,
“The dignity of women, by itself, and in the context of our culture, is absolutely non-negotiable. We hope that the spirit, with which this order is made, and the legal compulsions are considered in right earnest, and action initiated with speed,”
The case is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on October 17.
Previously, the Court remarked that the social media posts were not just vituperative, intimidating, and provocative, but were essentially “braying for the blood of the counsel, who rendered her professional duties.”
Also Read: Woman’s Gotra Changes When She Marries: Supreme Court On Widow’s Property Rights
It lamented that social media has become a platform for the immature and unreasonable, turning into a “nasty circus.”
The Court also questioned how such content was permitted on these platforms, stating,
“Some of the posts are so provocative and only God knows what an imbalanced mind would do after reading such posts.”
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
