Today(on 25th April),The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing for August 14 on WhatsApp and Facebook’s challenge against India’s 2021 IT rules, mandating chat tracing and originator identification. The court highlighted the global uniqueness of the rule, emphasizing concerns about user privacy and the infringement of end-to-end encryption. The Central government defended the rule’s legality, citing the need for a safer cyberspace.
The Allahabad High Court granted bail to Riyaz, accused of insulting Lord Ram on Facebook. The decision based on his clean record and an apology. This case sparked debate on religious sensitivities and legal freedoms, but the court emphasized India’s secular values. The accused must now abide by certain conditions while on bail.
Today, 12th April, Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha sent a letter to the Attorney General citing concerns about AAP supporters’ attempts to undermine the judiciary’s credibility on social media. Jha seeks permission to file a contempt of court case against AAP for misquoting the Delhi High Court and making baseless allegations. He urges the AG to address this issue to protect the judiciary’s authority.
The Supreme Court cautioned against misrepresenting facts or prejudicing ongoing legal proceedings through social media comments, expressing concern over the misuse of social media in pending court matters. They also addressed a contempt case involving premature social media claims of victory. The Court emphasized the seriousness of parties interfering with ongoing proceedings.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued show cause notices to YouTube and Facebook officials in response to a contempt petition, alleging their failure to remove objectionable posts targeting Hindu spiritual leader Acharya Dhirendra Shastri. The court directed key officials to respond within four weeks, emphasizing the legal responsibilities of social media platforms in protecting individual reputations.
