LEGAL NEWS :-
For the issue concerning non-compliance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
● Justice Rekha Palli a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court today said it was not going to give Twitter any protection from consequences of non-compliance, and granted Twitter time as sought, to get back on the issue. Judge also lashed out at the as the counsel appearing from social media giant (Twitter) Senior Adv Sajan Poovayya did not have any instructions on the issue, and had sought time as Twitter's office is in San Francisco - a different time zone.
● Justice Rekha Palli remarked, "If Twitter thinks that it can take as much time as it wants in our country, then I will not permit that."
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said that Twitter was given a 3-month window to comply with the Rules but they have to comply. Rule 4 is the fulcrum of the IT Rules."
However, the single judge bench granted time and listed the matter on July 8.
● Recently, The The central government filed a transfer petition before the Supreme Court seeking to transfer all petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) from various High Courts to the Supreme Court.
● A notice has also been issued by Madras high court on June 23 in a writ petition by Digital News Publishers Association, which comprised of 13 media outlets and journalist Mukund Padmanabhan challenging the constitutional validity of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021).
● Also in the Bombay high court, a plea was filed contending that the new IT Rules are contrary to the provisions of law including Article 14 (equality before the law), Articles 19 (1) (a) (to freedom of speech and expression), 19 (1) (g) (to practise any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business) by a legal news website and former journalist.