Gauhati HC Directs Centre To Consider Restoring Mobile Internet[Read Order]

The Gauhati High Court directed the Governments of Centre and Assam to consider restoring mobile internet services from 3 PM on Tuesday.

If there is no untoward incident, the Governments can consider longer periods of continuation of internet, so that normalcy is returned to all walks of life, observed the Court. The Court will further consider the matter on Thursday.

"Having considered all the aspects of the case and in particular the dependence of the citizens on internet services which on suspension has virtually resulted in serious disruption of the lives of the residents, we deem it just and proper to observe that the respondents on considering inputs from various sources, may take a considered decision for restoration of mobile data and internet services during the afternoon hours of the day beyond 3 o' clock", the bench stated in the order.

The interim order was passed on Tuesday forenoon by a bench comprising Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua in PILs filed by Advocate Banashree Gogoi and journalist Ajit Bhuyan. Senior Advocate K K Mahanta and U K Nair were heard in the matter.

The petitioners submitted that due to internet shut down even the functioning of the Courts have been disrupted. Advocates are not able to access the causelists. Since digital payment transactions have been disrupted, business establishments are put to a lot of hardship. The petitioners also pointed out that the situation in Assam had been normal during last three days and demonstrations are happening in peaceful manner.

The internet shut down was imposed on December 11 in the wake of stir against Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.

The petition filed by Ajit Bhuyan through Advocate Angaj Gautam also challenges the constitutional validity of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017.

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