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News Agency, Bangalore : The Karnataka High Court on Friday dismissed Twitter Incorporation’s plea challenging the central government’s orders to block and remove certain tweets and accounts on Twitter. Twitter was also fined Rs 50 lakh. The court also ordered that the amount be paid to the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority within 45 days.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered Twitter to block 1,474 accounts, 175 tweets, 256 URLs (world wide webpage addresses) and one hashtag. Out of these, Twitter filed a petition in the court challenging ten different orders related to only 39 URLs issued by the Center between February 2, 2021 and February 28, 2022. However, it was argued that this petition did not fulfill the eligibility criteria. Krishna S. Dixit’s one-judge bench dismissed it. Apart from this, a fine of Rs 50 lakh was also imposed on Twitter. The court has also mentioned in the order that if this amount is not deposited within 45 days, an additional fee of five thousand rupees per day will be charged. “I understand the Centre’s point that they have the right to block tweets and accounts,” Niya said. Dixit said.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered Twitter to block 1,474 accounts, 175 tweets, 256 URLs (world wide webpage addresses) and one hashtag. Out of these, Twitter filed a petition in the court challenging ten different orders related to only 39 URLs issued by the Center between February 2, 2021 and February 28, 2022. However, it was argued that this petition did not fulfill the eligibility criteria. Krishna S. Dixit’s one-judge bench dismissed it. Apart from this, a fine of Rs 50 lakh was also imposed on Twitter. The court has also mentioned in the order that if this amount is not deposited within 45 days, an additional fee of five thousand rupees per day will be charged. “I understand the Centre’s point that they have the right to block tweets and accounts,” Niya said. Dixit said.
Eight questions were raised during the hearing. Of these, only one question, whether Twitter had locus standi to file the petition, was answered in favor of Twitter. The rest of the questions are answered against Twitter.
‘The petition is part of Dorsey’s imagination’
New Delhi: Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the petition filed by Twitter was part of an idea put forward by the company’s former CEO Jack Dorsey. “The court clearly stated in the order, that disobeying the government order is not an option. “All companies, whether small or big, must comply with Indian laws,” Chandrasekhar said.
