“Appealing to prurient interests”: Book bans, the courts, the mob
In an intolerant environment, decisions on book bans are increasingly being taken in bureaucratic offices, city streets and village squares
Analysis
Transfer to prevent “contradictory judgments” on the IT Rules 2021 from various High Courts, says Supreme Court
23rd Mar 2024
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After the Delhi Court denied Umar Khalid bail in October 2022, he approached the Supreme Court.
14th Feb 2024
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The Court ruled in favour of media outlets in some free speech cases though the key sedition matter is moving at a glacial pace
3rd Jan 2024
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Panellists discussed various possibilities on the best way to regulate internet shutdowns, net neutrality and hate speech on social media
28th Nov 2023
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DESK BRIEF: Recently, it seems that the prescriptive aspect of Article 19 is only a poetic indulgence when faced with media rights
7th Oct 2023
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The Court stayed proceedings under all First Information Reports filed against members of the guild.
15th Sep 2023
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DESK BRIEF: In its 279th Report, the Law Commission recommended broadening the scope of sedition and increasing quantum of punishment.
5th Jun 2023
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Citing National Security, the 279th Law Commission report recommended increased punishment and wider application of Sedition Law
3rd Jun 2023
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The Supreme Court quashed the broadcast ban placed on MediaOne TV and cautioned the Union against sealed cover submissions.
5th Apr 2023
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DESK BRIEF: The judge appointment and BBC documentary disputes saw major developments leading up to the inaugural SC Foundation Day event
4th Feb 2023
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The SC ruled that the Freedom of Speech of public officials cannot be restricted on grounds outside of Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
6th Jan 2023
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The most important Freedom of Speech cases at the Supreme Court were characterised by the Union's inability to follow the Court's directions
28th Dec 2022
MoreN. Ravi v Speaker, Legislative Assembly Chennai
The Supreme Court will decide if the immunities enjoyed by law makers under Article 194 overrides the fundamental right to freedom of speech under Article 19
MoreNext Hearing:
Last Updated:
Bench:D.Y. Chandrachud CJI, S.K. Kaul J, Sanjiv Khanna J, B.R. Gavai J, Surya Kant J, J.B. Pardiwala J, Manoj Misra J
Pending
N. Ram v. Union of India
The SC will decide if the Union’s ban on the BBC Documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ violates the rights to free speech and expression.
MoreNext Hearing:
Last Updated:
Bench:Sanjiv Khanna J, M.M. Sundresh J
Pending
Union of India v Sudesh Kumar Singh
The Supreme Court will hear the Union Government's petition requesting a transfer of pending High Court challenges to the IT Rules, 2021
MoreNext Hearing:
Last Updated:
Bench:A.M. Khanwilkar J, A.S. Oka J
Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation v Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
The Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of Regulations issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India imposing a lower limit on the price that broadcasters can charge for a ‘bouquet’ of channels. The Court will decide whether the Regulations violate the broadcasters’ Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression and their Right to Engage in Free Trade.
MoreNext Hearing: February 15, 2022
Last Updated: 20220104
Bench:U.U. Lalit CJI, S.R. Bhat J, B.M. Trivedi J
Decided
Ashish Shelar v Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
The Supreme Court will decide whether the parliamentary resolution suspending 12 MLA’s from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for a year violates the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rules. Further, the Court will decide the balance between the speakers power to maintain the decorum of the house and MLAs' right to freely express themselves.
MoreLast Updated:
Bench:A.M. Khanwilkar J, Dinesh Maheshwari J, C.T. Ravikumar J
Romila Thapar v Union of India
The Court evaluated the arrests of five human rights activists under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) by the Maharashtra Police and allowed the investigation to continue. The Police accused the activists of involvement in the Bhima Koregaon violence and sedition.
MoreLast Updated: 20210628
Bench:Dipak Misra CJI, D.Y. Chandrachud CJI, A.M. Khanwilkar J
Decided
Subramanian Swamy v Union of India
The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the criminal offence of defamation under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.
MoreLast Updated: 20160313
Kaushal Kishore v State Of Uttar Pradesh
The Constitution Bench held that the Freedom of Speech of public officials cannot be restricted in favour of another persons fundamental rights. However, they held that the State has an obligation to protect the fundamental rights of citizen's even against non-state actors such as other private persons.
MoreLast Updated: 20200122
Bench:Abdul Nazeer J, B.R. Gavai J, A.S. Bopanna J, V. Ramasubramanian J, B.V. Nagarathna J
Sajal Awasthi v Union of India
The Court is hearing two separate challenges to the constitutional validity of the 2019 amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
MoreNext Hearing:
Last Updated: 20190906
Bench:Ranjan Gogoi CJI, Ashok Bhushan J
Decided
Sandeep Vinod Kumar Singh v Election Commission of India
A 3 Judge Bench of the Supreme Court chose not to interfere with an order passed by the Election Commission of India stalling the release of the PM Narendra Modi biopic.
MoreLast Updated: 20190426
Bench:Sanjiv Khanna J, Ranjan Gogoi CJI
Swati Bidhan Baruah v Union of India
The Supreme Court is deciding whether the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
MoreNext Hearing:
Last Updated: 20200127
Pending
People's Union for Civil Liberties v Union of India
A three-judge Bench will issue further directions to ensure implementation of the judgment in Shreya Singhal v Union of India, which declared Section 66(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (the IT Act) unconstitutional. Through its Orders in this case, the Court must ensure that citizens are not jailed under a law that has already been held unconstitutional.
MoreNext Hearing:
Last Updated: 20210714
Bench:U.U. Lalit CJI, S.R. Bhat J, Ajay Rastogi J
In an intolerant environment, decisions on book bans are increasingly being taken in bureaucratic offices, city streets and village squares