SC says there should be no clampdown on Covid info on social media

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, April 30, 2021:       During the Supreme Court hearing on Covid situation across the country, Justice DY Chandrachud on Friday said that if citizens are voicing concerns and grievances on social media, there cannot be any clampdown on them.

 

"I am flagging an issue of grave concern. If citizens communicate their grievances on social media or news, there is no reason to presume that’s not correct. There cannot be a clampdown on information," said Justice Chandrachud.

He further added, "Let a strong message go across to all states that we will consider it a contempt of this court if any citizen is harassed for making a plea on social media or media for making a plea for oxygen or beds etc."

Supreme Court has said there should not be any presumption that grievances raised on the internet by citizens are false.

The Centre had recently issued an order to Twitter saying some tweets on Covid were not in compliance with India’s IT law. Twitter removed several tweets made by some popular handles, including handles belonging to Member of Parliament Revanth Reddy, West Bengal Minister Moloy Ghatak, following the order.

Meanwhile, India on Friday recorded a staggering 3.86 lakh fresh Covid-19 cases and nearly 3,500 deaths in 24 hours. The alarming numbers have dealt a severe blow to the health infrastructure of the country with hospitals running out of beds and oxygen for the huge influx of patients.

The Supreme Court bench hearing a suo motu case on the Covid situation in the country said, "We agree that health infrastructure we inherited over past 70 years is not adequate."

The court further noted that the healthcare sector has come to a breaking point and retired doctors or officials could be re-employed to help the country battle the second wave of Covid that has been claiming over 3,000 lives on a daily basis.

Courtesy:India Today