Delhi High Court Seeks Facebook, Instagram Reply On Plea Against "Abusive" Posts On Hindu Goddesses

A vacation bench of Justice Rekha Palli of the Delhi High Court has issued notice and sought replies from Facebook Inc and its subsidiary, Instagram, on a petition objecting to the publication of "highly obnoxious and objectionable posts" on Hindu goddesses on Instagram by a user.

The two social media platforms submitted in court that the posts have already been taken down, and that further, in compliance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, (IT Rules, 2021) the company has also appointed a Grievance Redressal Officer, already.

The petition preferred by Adv. Aditya Singh Deshwal, stated that the uploaded content not only had abusive language with respect to Hindu goddesses, but also showed them in vulgar representations in the form of cartoons and graphics.

Objecting to Instagram's contention that it has already appointed a Grievance Redressal Officer in terms of the IT Rules 2021, the petitioner also submitted that the issue of compliance by Instagram in letter and spirit, was yet to be examined as one person cannot act as the Grievance Redressal Officer for two Significant Social Media Intermediaries (Facebook and Instagram, in this case) having followers of more than 50 lakh each.

The petitioner also sought for Instagram to preserve all the details associated with such objectionable accounts and place them before the Court for further action.

Keeping in view the highly sensitive nature of the grievance by the Petitioners, and upon prayers to this effect by the Petitioner's counsel, Sr. Adv. Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Facebook and Instagram assured the court that the respondents would not disseminate copies of the petition to any third party.

The matter will be heard next on Aug16.Sr. Adv. G Tushar Rao and Adv. Ayush Saxena appeared for the petitioner.Addl. Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and Standing Counsel Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar and Adv. S Bushra Kazim appeared for the Centre.

Sr. Adv. Mukul Rohatgi, briefed by Advs. Tejas Karia, Ajit Warrier, Pavit Singh Katoch and Gauhar Mirza appeared for Instagram and Facebook.

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