The Delhi High Court today sought the Central government's response in plea by a lawyer challenging the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021)..The petition filed by practising lawyer, Uday Bedi contends that the new IT Rules grossly disregard fundamental rights to free speech and privacy.."Gross disregard of fundamental rights:" Lawyer moves Delhi High Court challenging Rules 3 and 4 of IT Rules, 2021.The Court has issued notice to the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). The matter will be heard next September 13. .Bedi has contended that the new IT Rules grossly disregard the his fundamental rights as a user of social media intermediaries (SMIs) such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter etc. In particular, it is argued that the challenged Rules violate Articles 14 (right to equality, including the right against arbitrariness), 19 (which includes freedom of speech and expression) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty, which is interpreted to include the right to privacy) of the Constitution of India..Other parties who have challenged the IT Rules, 2021 before the Delhi High Court include news portals The Wire, The Quint, and AltNews and the Press Trust of India..Earlier this month, the High Court declined to allow interim relief in applications moved by The Wire, The Quint, and AltNews, while granting time to the Central government and other respondents to reply to the applications filed for the same..Other petitions challenging the IT Rules have been moved before the High Courts of Madras, Kerala and Bombay. In view of there being multiple petitions on the issue, the Centre had also moved a transfer petition in the Supreme Court so that all cases may be heard by the top Court. However, as of now, the Supreme Court has not issued any stay on any of the High Court proceedings.
The Delhi High Court today sought the Central government's response in plea by a lawyer challenging the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021)..The petition filed by practising lawyer, Uday Bedi contends that the new IT Rules grossly disregard fundamental rights to free speech and privacy.."Gross disregard of fundamental rights:" Lawyer moves Delhi High Court challenging Rules 3 and 4 of IT Rules, 2021.The Court has issued notice to the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). The matter will be heard next September 13. .Bedi has contended that the new IT Rules grossly disregard the his fundamental rights as a user of social media intermediaries (SMIs) such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter etc. In particular, it is argued that the challenged Rules violate Articles 14 (right to equality, including the right against arbitrariness), 19 (which includes freedom of speech and expression) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty, which is interpreted to include the right to privacy) of the Constitution of India..Other parties who have challenged the IT Rules, 2021 before the Delhi High Court include news portals The Wire, The Quint, and AltNews and the Press Trust of India..Earlier this month, the High Court declined to allow interim relief in applications moved by The Wire, The Quint, and AltNews, while granting time to the Central government and other respondents to reply to the applications filed for the same..Other petitions challenging the IT Rules have been moved before the High Courts of Madras, Kerala and Bombay. In view of there being multiple petitions on the issue, the Centre had also moved a transfer petition in the Supreme Court so that all cases may be heard by the top Court. However, as of now, the Supreme Court has not issued any stay on any of the High Court proceedings.
