New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday (December 10) opposed a plea in the Supreme Court that seeks nationwide guidelines to restrict internet shutdowns.
In its opposition to the plea, the Union government argued that such an “advance ruling” would be untenable and each instance of internet suspension has to be challenged separately, reported Hindustan Times.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale took up the petition filed by the Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC) in 2022. The petition highlights the economic, social and legal ramifications of these shutdowns and seeks clear guidelines to curb their arbitrary use.
Advocate Kanu Agrawal, who represented the Centre, cited the Supreme Court’s 2020 Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India judgment to say that no sweeping directions could be issued for grievances against shutdowns.
“We have written to the chief secretaries and the Union also takes care of it. But this plea wants an advance ruling which cannot be done,” said Agrwala, saying that the Centre has written to all states and Union territories to abide by the 2020 judgment.
Representing the SFLC, advocate Vrinda Grover said that several states have resorted to internet shutdowns during examinations such as high school tests or patwari recruitment exams to prevent cheating. However, Grover said that these measures are disproportionate, resulting in widespread economic loss and infringing on citizens’ fundamental rights.
