New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 holding that it was violative of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression.
"Section 66A of the IT Act is struck down in its entirety...," said the apex court bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman.
"Our Constitution provides for liberty of thought, expression and belief. In a democracy, these values have to be provided within constitutional scheme. The law (Section 66A) is vague in its entirety," said Justice Nariman pronouncing the judgment.
"There is no nexus between public order and discussion or causing annoyance by dissemination of information. Curbs under Section 66A of the IT Act infringes on the public right to know."
The apex court order came on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of 66A of the IT Act on the grounds of its vague and ambiguous and was being misused by the law enforcing authorities.
The court was moved by one Shreya Singhal in 2012 following the arrest of two girls -- Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Shrinivasan -- for posting comments critical of the Mumbai shutdown following the death of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
The hearing saw NGOs Common Cause, People Union for Civil Liberty and individuals including self-exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen joining the challenge which saw a repeat hearing after an earlier hearing by a bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice S.A. Bobde remained inconclusive.
Section 66A reads: "Any person who sends by any means of a computer resource any information that is grossly offensive or has a menacing character; or any information which he knows to be false, but for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine."
The central government defended section 66A, taking the stand that the provisions in no way intended to curb the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under article 19 of the Constitution. At the same time, it said the enormous cyber world could not be left unregulated.
Orange Cap IPL 2024: Virat Kohli regained the Orange Cap, and two batsmen of Delhi Capitals increased the heartbeats of other players.
The race for the Orange Cap in IPL 2024 is becoming exciting day by day. The 16th match of IPL 2024 was played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals on Thursday, in which KKR scored a lot
7th student seated on the ground: Missionary school punished for saying 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'; FIR on 2 teachers
There was a ruckus in the missionary school in Guna for chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. Here the 7th student was not only reprimanded but also kept on the ground for the next 4 periods. On getting the
IND vs ENG: 'Looking at him reminds me of young Sachin Tendulkar', Shastri praised this Indian batsman.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has praised young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for his brilliant performance against England during the third Test in Rajkot. Yashasvi had failed to play a big
SLBC Tunnel Collapse: Rescue operation 40 meters away from workers on the fourth day of the tunnel accident, GSI-NGRI experts called
The chances of survival of eight workers trapped there after a part of the tunnel of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project collapsed on Saturday in the Nagarkurnool district of Telangana are
'Do you live on Mars?' Court reprimands Congress leader on an election petition
The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea of a Congress leader seeking postponement of assembly elections in five states. The petitioner said that the Omicron variant of
Virat Kohli: After the victory, Virat praised Anushka, said- 'It has been 11 years for her too, she never gave up hope'
RCB ended its 18-year-long wait by defeating Punjab Kings in the final match of IPL on Tuesday. Bangalore's first win is considered to be the most special for Virat Kohli. Kohli has been in RCB since
Draupadi Murmu became the 15th President of the country: CJI administered the oath and said - the public interest is paramount for me
Draupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of the country by Chief Justice NV Ramana. She is the country's first tribal woman president. Draupadi Murmu took the oath of the country's highest
Skill India: Skills of 75 thousand youth of Delhi NDMC will improve, will get training in electrical, plumbing, etc.
The central government is going to up-skill 75 thousand people of NDMC of Delhi. Skill India will train people in the age group of 18 to 45, especially the personnel in construction, electrical and
Demand for FIR in the case of cash found at judge's house, Supreme Court said - there will be no immediate hearing.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the request for an immediate hearing on the demand to direct the registration of an FIR in the case of a large amount of cash allegedly found in the government
Delhi liquor scam: Will Manish Sisodia get relief from the Supreme Court? CBI investigation and arrest challenged
Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who is in trouble in the matter of excise policy, has moved the Supreme Court to challenge his arrest. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi referred to the petition
