World · India Bureau
Madras High Court issues notice on plea challenging social media blocks
A public interest litigation has sought investigation into the identity verification and social media account blocking of activist Saurav Das following his critical remarks about the judiciary. The Madras High Court has issued notice on the petition.
LSN India ·
The Madras High Court has taken cognizance of a public interest litigation that challenges the blocking of social media accounts and seeks a probe into the identity verification processes of activist Saurav Das. The petition was filed in response to Das's remarks critical of the judicial system, which allegedly triggered the account suspensions across multiple platforms.
The court's decision to issue notice on the matter signals its willingness to examine the claims raised in the petition. The litigation centers on questions regarding the legitimacy of blocking social media accounts based on speech critical of state institutions and the procedures followed in verifying user identities during such actions.
The case has drawn attention from digital rights advocates and civil society observers. Legal expert Ashutosh Ranka responded to the development on social media platform X, characterizing the situation as troubling, stating that "what's happening here is a moment of collective shame."
The petition raises broader concerns about the intersection of free speech, platform governance, and the authority of state institutions to restrict online access. Legal analysts suggest the court's response may set important precedents for digital rights and the limits of account suspension practices in India.