New Delhi [India], July 14 : The Supreme Court on Monday flagged the issue of people abusing their fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression on social media.
A bench led by Justice B.V. Navarathna also stated that reasonable restrictions over the fundamental right of speech and expression are rightly imposed and need to be complied with by citizens.
"All reasonable restrictions is rightly put. Just because technology is there, doesn't mean you'll abuse it", Justice Nagarathna stated.
The Supreme Court judge also said that citizens must apply self-regulation and restraint when sharing their opinion on social media.
"Why can't the citizens regulate themselves so that the state doesn't have to step in. Citizens must understand the value of their freedoms. Who wants the state to step in. Nobody wants the state to step in", the top-court judge said.
"We're not speaking of censorship and all. But in the interest of fraternity, integrity and unity of all, there must be some restrictions", the top-court judge added.
The top-court was hearing a plea filed by one Wazahat Khan seeking protection from arrest over the multiple FIR filed against him in various states.
Khan is the man whose complaint had led to the arrest of influencer Sharmistha Panoli in a 'hate speech' case.
Subsequently, after Panoli was booked for her alleged communally charged comments on Operation Sindoor, multiple FIRs were lodged against Khan as well over his alleged 'hate speech' laden comments on social media.
During the hearing today, the counsel appearing for Khan stated that the FIRs lodged against Khan, are in retaliation to his comments on social media. He submitted that Khan's comments on social media that promoted outrage and led to complaints were in response to the comments made by others.
The top-court was also displeased over the fact that courts in India are being clogged in dealing with such litigations.
"There's abuse of freedom of speech leading to litigation, clogging and criminal cases also where police has to chase these kinda of cases, cyber police and other forces. Why should the legal system be clogged with by such cases", Justice Nagarathna said.
Taking a dim view of Khans' alleged comments, the top-stated that such comments violate the unity and integrity of the country.
"Then second is the (insensitive) comments against women and third is the comments against religion. All these divisive tendencies on social media need to be clogged", Justice Nagarathna stated.
As regards, the relief sought by Khan, the Court extended the interim protection granted to him on the last hearing, until the next date of hearing.
The Court posted the matter after eight weeks after the respondents stated, where FIRs have been lodged against Khan, sought time to file their counter-responses to Khan's plea.
During last hearing in the matter, on June 2023, another bench of the Supreme Court had observed "These hate speeches lead us nowhere" before granting Khan protection from any coercive action over the the FIRs registered against him, until the next date of hearing.