Patna HC Asks Instagram, FB, Twitter, Youtube, Whatsapp To Cooperate In Probe Into Social Media Postings Against Judges

The Patna High Court on Friday directed Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Whatsapp, Meta, and Messenger to cooperate in the probe being conducted by the Economic Offences Unit (E.O.U.) of Bihar Police into social media posting against judges and other high dignitaries.

It may be noted that on Wednesday, the Bench of Justice Sandeep Kumar had ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against an Advocate, who has been accused of abusing the Judges of the Supreme Court including the former Chief Justice of India, Patna High Court Judges as well as the Union Law Minister and other dignitaries.

The Court had also rapped the social media platforms for their failure to report the abuse posted against judges and other dignitaries to the police.

Importantly, the Additional Director General, Economic Offences Unit (EOU), Government of Bihar, Patna, had told the High court on Wednesday that they have already issued a direction for taking action against the persons who are making objectionable comments using foul languages against the Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, Member of Legislative Assembly and other Government officials.

Read more about the Wednesday order here: Judiciary Can't Be Threatened By Misdirected Individuals: Patna HC Directs FIR Registration Against Advocate Accused Of Abusing Judges

Now, on Friday, the EOU filed a status report on affidavit and informed the Court about the investigation that has been initiated by them. They submitted that notices have been issued to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Whatsapp, Meta, and Messenger through the offices situated in the U.S.A.

Importantly, the E.O.U. has also been directed to investigate the hacking of the Facebook account of the amicus curiae in this matter and take action in accordance with the law. The Court has posted the matter for further hearing on December 24, 2021.

Case title - Shiv Kumar v. The State of Bihar and others

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