The Supreme Court expressed concern over the misuse of social media platforms for publishing information, comments and articles on compliance matters.
Justices Aniruddha Bose (now retired) and Bela Trivedi were heard in the case of Assam MP Karim Uddin Balbuya Uddin Barbhuiya made the remarks while filing contempt proceedings against him for making misleading posts on Facebook regarding a case in which judgment was reserved.
“It is a matter of grave concern that social media platforms are being misused on a massive scale today with the posting of messages, comments, articles etc. relating to matters pending before the courts on these platforms.
“While our shoulders are broad enough to withstand any accusations or criticisms, comments or posts made through social media platforms on matters pending before the courts, under the guise of the right to freedom of speech and expression, have the tendency to undermine the authority of the courts or interfere with the judicial process. , deserves serious consideration,” the judge said.
The Supreme Court said it is common for judges to react as lawyers make their arguments, sometimes supporting and sometimes opposing one side of the suit.
“However, this does not give parties to the litigation or their lawyers any right or leeway to post comments or information on social media that misrepresents the facts or does not disclose the correct facts of the litigation.
“When any such attempt is made by a party to the litigation, the matter must be dealt with more seriously,” the bench said while issuing a contempt notice to the MLAs and directing the All India United Democratic Party MLAs to attend court front (AIUDF).
Four weeks later, the Supreme Court listed the case and asked the Registry to refer the matter to the Supreme Judicial Council for an appropriate administrative order to bring the case before the appropriate judge.
On March 20, the Supreme Court had initiated contempt proceedings against Barbhuiya over his Facebook post in which he had falsely claimed in his election petition that the court had ruled in his favour, and the court had only reserved its judgment on the matter that day.
Later on April 8, the Supreme Court allowed Barbhuiya’s plea and quashed the election petition against him.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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