Earlier today on 30th April 2021 while hearing a suo motu case to examine issues relating to the management of the COVID-19 situation in the country the Hon’ble apex court made unequivocal terms that there can be no clampdown on citizens communicating their grievances on social media with regards to COVID-19.
Additionally, the Hon’ble apex court stated that if any such actions are taken and the Hon’ble court witness any clampdown of information. It will be further treated as a contempt of court.
Subsequently, the Hon’ble Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud and also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and Justice Ravindra Bhat while pronouncing the judgment in the instant matter opined that “at the outset, in the ongoing issue at hand the Hon’ble bench need to state and make it very clear that if citizens communicate their grievance on social media and internet then it cannot be said that it is a wrong information.”
Moreover, the Hon’ble bench also stated that “a strong message must be sent to all the States and DGP of states that any clampdown of information contrary to basic instructions provided by the Hon’ble court shall be considered as contempt of court.
Furthermore, the Hon’ble court also highlighted the recent order passed by the Uttar Pradesh government wherein it was ordered that strict civil and criminal action will be initiated against those making false appeals over social media seeking help for COVID-19.
