Regarding the Delhi riots last year, the Supreme Court has given a clean chit to the Delhi Assembly’s Peace and Harmony Committee. They have allowed them to seek information from Facebook and it’s official.
Supreme Court Bench Acknowledges Facebook Accountable For Being a Disruptive Platform
During the hearing, the bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that they cannot accept the plea that the Assembly confine itself towards the functioning of the legislation as that would be an unreasonable restriction. However, the bench including other Justices, Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy said that they cannot go into the issues of law and order and act like a “prosecuting agency”.
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At the same time, the bench also recognized that Facebook has simultaneously become a platform for disruptive messages, voices and ideologies. The court cites that the elections and voting processes do stand threatened by social media manipulation.
SC Brushes Facebook’s Assertion For Only Being An Intermediary
In the 188 page judgement, the Supreme Court said that Facebook should be treated as a co-accused and should further be investigated in the same capacity for the Delhi riots investigation. Following this, a separate charge sheet should be filled which considers Facebook as a co-accused.
In its 188-page judgement, the bench noted that it was pre-emptory to see a clash of privilege powers and certain fundaental rights free speech, silence, and privacy in the present matter.
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At the same time, the court also brushed aside Facebook’s assertion towards only being an intermediary and that India’s “unity in diversity” cannot be disrupted by Facebook over ignorance or lack of any pivotal role.
This comes after a the court earlier dismissed the plea by Facebook and Mohan against the summoning him by the Delhi Assembly’s Peace and Harmony Committee after he failed to appear.
