New Delhi: In a significant judgment with implications on basic freedoms beyond Kashmir, the Supreme Court on Friday said Internet access is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution and asked the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration to review within a week all curbs in the union territory.

Welcomed by people in the Kashmir Valley who have been without Internet for the last five months as "happy news" at last, the apex court verdict also said Section 144 of the CrPC (prohibitory orders) cannot be used indefinitely to suppress freedom of speech and expression and difference of opinion. Extending its observations to the media, the bench said freedom of press is a valuable and a sacred right.