Supreme Court Verdict On Curbs Imposed In Jammu And Kashmir: Key Points

Hearing a petition challenging the suspension of the internet in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year, the Supreme Court on Friday passed a series of orders directing the government to review its decisions. Here are the key points of the apex court’s verdict —

(1) The court said internet services are intrinsic to the right to free speech and cannot be suspended without providing reason and duration.
(2) The government should review within seven days all orders directing suspension of internet services.
(3) The Court also ordered the restoration of all government and local body websites where abuse of internet is minimal.
(4) The apex court also ordered the J&K administration to restore internet services in all institutions providing essential services like hospitals, educational centres.
(5) The SC said mere expression of dissent or disagreement against a government decision cannot be a reason for internet suspension.
(6) Whenever the government decides to suspend the internet, it must give a detailed reason for the decision to allow aggrieved persons to challenge it in an appropriate court.