Karnataka high court: The Karnataka High Court has dismissed the petition by giving a big blow to the social media platform X. The X challenged the action on the central government to block the content under the IT Act and claimed that Section 79 (3) (B) of the IT Act did not give the government the right to do so. Along with this, the company also challenged it in court, calling it illegal on the ‘Cooperation Portal’ of the Center as illegal.
The single bench of Justice M. Nagprasanna completely rejected this petition and clearly stated that if social media platforms are working in India, they will have to follow Indian laws. The court also commented that American laws cannot be imposed on India and no platform can work as a playground just as a playground.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented his arguments virtually. The court said that information and communication can never be released ‘uncontrolled and irregular’. Justice Nagprasanna said that the right to freedom of expression is bound by rational sanctions contained in Article 19 (2). American jurisprudence cannot be transplanted into Indian ideology.
The High Court clearly said that social media cannot be left in a state of chaotic freedom. Every sovereign nation has the right to control digital platforms in its country. The court said that no social media platform can only understand the Indian market as a playground. We are a society ruled by laws and the system is the foundation of democracy.
Justice Nagprasanna further said that X is subject to the regulatory structure in America and follows the laws there. But the same platform in India is refusing to obey the applicable laws and orders. The court said that such an attitude is not acceptable and the petition of X Corp was rejected on this basis.
