The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Centre’s response on a plea for removal of fake news and hate speech allegedly making rounds in social media networks like Facebook and Twitter.
The public interest litigation filed by Rashtriya Swabhimaan Aandolan K N Govindacharya submitted, “Minister of State (Home Affairs) G Kishan Reddy has stated that rumours by political parties, social media played a huge role in the Delhi violence. It is creating multiple litigations in various courts.”
The petition said after the Delhi riots, the people of the national capital had to face many hardships and the violence resulted in approximately 50 deaths and more than 200 being injured.
Though Delhi Police had red flagged objectionable contents, social media companies failed to block such material on their platforms, it said, adding the writ petition has been filed on behalf of the citizens as they have fundamental right of speech and expression, privacy and right to access justice under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The petitioner prayed that action be taken immediately through designated officers for removal of fake news and hate speech being circulated through social media.
After hearing the plea, a bench headed by Chief Justice D N Patel issued notice to the Centre and posted the matter to April 13.
Read Petition Here