No clampdown on social media posts seeking COVID-19 help; will treat it as contempt of court: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday made it clear in unequivocal terms that there can be no clampdown on citizens communicating their grievances on social media as regards COVID-19.

Any such actions by the authorities will be treated as contempt of Supreme Court, a Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud and also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and Ravindra Bhat said.

"I flag this issue at the outset. We want to make it very clear that if citizens communicate their grievance on social media and internet then it cannot be said its wrong information. We don't want any clampdown of information. We will treat it as a contempt of court if such grievances are considered for action," Justice Chandrachud said.

Let a strong message go to all the states and DGP of states. Clampdown of information is contrary to basic precepts, he added, as per a report by Bar & Bench.

The Uttar Pradesh government had recently ordered that strict civil and criminal action will be initiated against those making ‘false appeals over social media seeking help for COVID-19.

The top court is hearing a suo motu case initiated by it to examine issues relating to management of COVID-19 situation in the country.