Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks Centre's Response On Alleged Withholding Of Trust's Social Media Account Covering Farmers Protest

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today sought response from the Union Government and other authorities on plea challenging the alleged withholding of 'X' and 'Youtube' accounts of a Trust and its journalist-Editor, allegedly for covering Farmers' Protest. As per the plea, the accounts were blocked on Centre's request citing national security and public order concerns.

Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj issued notice to the Central Government, X Corporation, Google, Youtube and other authorities.

'Gaon Savera' Trust, statedly running a news platform in the name of 'Gaon Savera' on various social media platforms and Journalist Mandeep Singh its managing Trustee moved the High Court seeking directions to 'X' and other authorities to quash the notice by which their social media accounts were blocked.

The petitioners submitted that on February 16, their X and Youtube accounts were withheld for disseminating information on ongoing Farmers' Protest. A notice was sent by X stating that the accounts have been withhold on "legal removal demand" from the Government of India claiming the content violates Information Technology Act, 2000.

Similarly, a notice was issued to block the Youtube Channel stating that an order was received from the government related to "national security or public order", the plea stated.

The plea states that action is "illegal" as there is no compliance of section 69A of the IT Act and the power to issue blocking orders vested with the Designated Officer of Ministry of Electronics and IT is content-specific and the accounts or channels cannot be blocked.

It is also submitted that blocking of petitioner's social media account is violation fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution.

"Absence of prior notice on objectionable content is mandatory by the respondent no. 2 to 4 ((X, Google, Meta Platforms) as per terms of use, failure to provide proper reasons in the Blocking Order itself is arbitrary; the impugned order even otherwise is not a speaking order; non communication of reasons renders the actions of respondents...void", the plea added.

The matter is listed for April 20, for further consideration.

Counsel for the petitioners: Sr. Advocate R.S. Bains, Advocates Amar Jeet, M.S. Chauhan, Aarushi Garg, Aman Raj Bawa, Anmol Deep Singh, Saurabh Bedi.

ASG Satya Pal Jain for Union Government.

Title: Gaon Savera Trust & And. v. UOI & Ors.