Centre Files Response Before Madras High Court In Pleas Challenging IT Rules 2021, Next Hearing On September 14

The Madras High Court on Friday took on record the Centre's counter affidavit filed in response to a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021). 

Petitions have been filed by acclaimed Carnatic vocalist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee TM Krishna, Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) as well as journalist Mukund Padmanabhan, challenging the constitutionality of the IT, and seeking a declaration of the same as "ultra vires, void and violative of Articles 14, Article 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India". 

On the last date of hearing, Additional Solicitor General R. Sankaranayaranan had informed the Bench that the counter affidavit was being prepared and had accordingly sought one last extension to submit the Union's response. To this, the Court had chided the Union for the repeated delay in filing their response and accordingly granted the Union 10 days more time to file their counter affidavit. 

On Friday, Senior Advocate P.S Raman informed the Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P.D Audikesavalu that the Centre had filed an 'exhaustive' 120 page counter affidavit and accordingly sought the Court's leave to file a reply. 

The Bench acceded to the request and accordingly has listed the matter for further hearing on September 14 at 2:15pm. 

Case Title: Digital News Publishers Association v. Union of India and other matters