Explain Facebook arrest: SC to Maharashtra government

30 November,2012 12:05 PM IST |   |  Agencies

The Supreme Court today directed the Maharashtra government to explain the circumstances under which its police arrested two girls from Palghar in Thane district for posting comments on Facebook on the November 18 shutdown for Bal Thackeray's funeral


u00a0

"The Maharashtra government is directed to explain the circumstances under which the two girls - Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Shrinivasan - were arrested for posting comments made by them on Facebook," a bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice J Chelameswar said.u00a0
u00a0
The bench asked the state government to file its response within four weeks on the public interest litigation filed by a Delhi student, Shreya Singhal.u00a0
u00a0


Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Shrinivasan

The bench also made as parties the governments of West Bengal and Puducherry where similar incidents had happened in the recent past.u00a0
u00a0
It also issued notice to the Delhi government along with them and sought their response within four weeks and posted the matter for hearing after six weeks.u00a0
u00a0
Attorney General G E Vahanvati, whose assistance was sought by the court, said,"Please examine section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and I will assist the court on this issue."u00a0
u00a0
The AG also referred to the guidelines which say that cases to be registered under the provision of the IT Act has to be decided by senior police officials of the ranks of DGP for cases pertaining to rural areas and IGP for metros.u00a0
u00a0
"This can't be done by the head of the police stations," the AG said, adding that this was a matter which required the court's consideration.u00a0
u00a0
Meanwhile, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Shreya, sought a direction from the court that no cases be registered across the country unless such complaints are seen and approved by the DGP of the state concerned.u00a0
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Facebook arrest Supreme Court asks maharashtra govt Bal Thackeray's funeral two girls arrested Shaheen Dhada Rinu Shrinivasan Attorney General