The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the plea filed by Facebook India vice-president Ajit Mohan challenging the summons issued to him by Delhi Assembly’s Peace and Harmony Committee in relation to the Delhi Riots. Extending the hearing to January 21, 2021, the three-judge bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy, issued notice to the intervener committee and asked for its reply within four weeks.
Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhawan, who appeared for the Delhi Assembly committee, said he has prepared a written submission which will be placed before the Bench. Dhawan said if there is an objection then the bench could issue notice. The court said the bench will have to issue notice before hearing Dhawan.
Appearing for Mohan, Senior Advocate Harish Salve said the court does not have any objection to hearing Dhawan but the legal aspect of the committee’s intervention has to be looked into.
Earlier, the Delhi Assembly had clarified its reply and said it did not summon Facebook and Ajit Mohan as accused but only as witnesses to elicit a suggestion on how social media platforms can be utilised to strengthen unity among citizens.
On the previous occasion, the Central government had submitted that the Peace and Harmony Committee of the Delhi Assembly did not have the jurisdiction to issue summons since the inquiry pertained to law and order in Delhi, a subject not in the purview of the Delhi government. The bench also extended the court’s earlier order of September 23 restraining the committee to not hear the matter until the case was pending.