New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its verdict this week on a batch of petitions challenging the contentious section 66A of the Information Technology Act and describing it as vague and ambiguous and beyond ambit of the constitutional right to freedom of speech.
The challenge commenced with Shreya Singhal challenging the constitutional validity of the section, following the arrest of two girls - Shaheen Dhanda and Rinu Shrinivasan - for posting comments critical of the Mumbai bandh in the wake of the death of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
The verdict was reserved on February 26 by a bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman.
The hearing saw NGOs Common Cause, People's Union for Civil Liberty, individuals, including self-exiled Bangladesh writer Taslima Nasreen, and businessman joining the challenge which had seen a repeat hearing after earlier hearing by the bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice S.A. Bobde remained inclusive.
Broadly, the contention by most was that the provision was vague which gave a scope for an arbitrary interpretation and misuse of the ambiguous provisions by police.
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."
However, the central government, defending the section, took the stand that the provisions in no way intended to curb the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under article 19 of the constitution, but at the same time, the huge cyber world could not be left unregulated.
Bedsides this, the court will conclude hearing on a batch of petitions including by the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association, and NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation challenging the Constitution (Ninety-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2014, and the enabling statute, the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act, 2014, to set up the panel which will replace the existing collegium system for appointments to the higher judiciary.
The SCAORA has contended that the NJAC would erode the independence of judiciary, but the government and the Supreme Court Bar Association have termed the challenge to these provisions as premature and academic as they have yet to be notified and operationalised.
The apex court March 26 will also take a call on whether to lift its February 26 order asking the government not to announce the results of the auction of the spectrum in 2G band that had fetched it more than Rs.1.09 lakh crore.
The court will also conclude and may pass order on 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast mastermind Yaqub Memon's plea seeking recall of the apex court order upholding his death sentence.
Suryakumar Yadav jumps 44 places in ICC T20I rankings, reaches top-5 for the first time
In the ICC T20I Rankings, Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav has made his place in the top-5 of the batsmen's list for the first time with a long jump. Suryakumar, who recently scored a century in T20
Pakistan: Taliban terrorists first killed policemen, then asked for helicopter to go to Afghanistan
Two policemen taken hostage at an anti-terrorism center in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were killed by Pakistani Taliban militants, while several others were injured. Alerting the
Virat Kohli: 'Is it too late to bring him back from retirement?' Tharoor remembers Kohli in the fifth Test
England needs 35 runs to win on the last and fifth day of the five-Test series against India. The day's play could not be completed due to rain and poor light on the fourth day. England still has four
Heavy Rain: Heavy rains affected life in Kerala, red alert in eight districts
Incessant rains in Kerala for the past two days have thrown life out of gear. At the same time, the Meteorological Department on Thursday issued a red alert of heavy rain for eight districts till
Lok Sabha Election 2024: What does the foreign media say about BJP's victory? The New York Times report will shock you
Indian media was already painted in the election color even before the bugle of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 was blown, media institutions and celebrities from all over the world not only showed
India VS Zimbabwe 1st ODI Today: After 6 years, both the teams will be face to face, know the possible playing XI of both
The first match of the three-match ODI series between India and Zimbabwe will be played at Harare Sports Club today. After 6 years both the teams are going to face each other. Earlier on June 15,
The person who fired at Elvish Yadav's house was arrested in a police encounter. The accused was shot in the leg
The police have arrested the accused who opened fire at the Gurugram house of famous YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav. The Faridabad Crime Branch has arrested an accused named Ishant
Somewhere it rains and somewhere heatwave alert, heat wave will continue in these states including Delhi-UP; IMD forecast
The havoc of the cyclonic storm may have stopped in Gujarat, but the effect of the storm is being seen in Rajasthan. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rain in many states.
Government considering giving rights to Tamils in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe said - Social Justice Commission will be formed soon
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that his government is considering full implementation of the 13A amendment to the constitution. The amendment is part of a 1987 agreement between India
Haryana's air becomes 'very poor': 6 districts reach Red Zone; AQI crosses 400 in 2 districts, situation is deteriorating in 5 cities as well
The air in the cities of Haryana has reached the stifling category. Most parts of the state have been engulfed in fog. Due to this, the air quality (AQI) in the cities has reached 'Very Poor' i.e.
