'Internet Shutdowns Can't Be Ordered To Suppress Speech'

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to review all orders imposing restrictions in the Union Territory within a week while holding that access to the internet is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution. Internet shutdowns cant be ordered to suppress speech: SC directs Jammu and Kashmir govt to review restrictive orders within seven daysFile images of Supreme Court of India.

The bench held that internet shutdowns cannot be ordered to suppress speech unless there is incitement to violence or similar reasons. "Reasonableness of Section 144 orders must be assessed based on territorial reach, nature of restrictions and time period." The Supreme Court ordered the suspension of the internet should be reviewed forthwith and that such suspension can be only "for a limited time period". It is also subject to judicial review, Justice Ramana said while reading the judgment. A five-judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana also asked the administration to restore internet services in institutions providing essential services like hospitals and educational places.

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