Delhi Riots- Facebook India VP's Challenge against Delhi Assembly Summons: Live Updates From Supreme Court

J. Kaul: We understand that you had no difficulty on appearing before the committee.

Salve: I do not wish to appear before the committee. It is a highly polarized stand. The debate around delhi riots is highly political and I do not wish to be a part of it. 

"If I accept your invitation a different standard will apply. But if I do not wish to appear, then that is my conscience decision. You may criticize me for it. You give oath where you are giving evidence as a matter of fact." Salve submits.

Salve: You as a committee can examine everything. You are a democratic body. But do your privileges extend to that area? If you want to say “I want to have harmony” and you invite somebody to speak. That is ok. 

Rajeev Dhawan: This seems like a rejoinder. He is responding to a three page argument. Perhaps he should do that in reply.

Salve: I would like to ignore.

J. Kaul: What we are examining is whether they can ask you to appear. It may be said possibly yes. But whether they can compel you to appear?

Salve: You may ask me to appear and you can criticize me to now appear. But you cannot compel me.

Salve: If you say that the LG can override everything, CJ Mishra (cites judgment) said you will have to work in cooperative federalism. But they understood that it means summoning anyone outside their jurisdiction.

Salve: Parliament administers the IT Act. We (Facebook) have a permission to work in India. If tomorrow the parliamentary committee ask us to wrap up, we will have to go. Therefore, if the committee called me to appear before it, I will have to go.

Salve now referring to the notice issued to Facebook by Parliamentary Committee to appear before it on 2nd September 2020.

Salve: They don’t want to hear facebook but Mr. Ajit Mohan. These are politically polarized narratives. I don’t want to say it.

Salve: The notice was sent to Mr. Ajit Mohan. That is for the Facebook to decide who will be the competent person. He has been told that “you” have been heading Facebook India and hence you will be the best suited person.