Digital news platforms the Quint and the Wire were refused interim protection against coercive action for non-compliance with the new IT rules by the Delhi High Court today. Both websites had earlier sought a stay on the implementation of the rules as well as interim protection from coercive action, Live Law reported.
Bar and Bench reported that Alt News was also refused interim relief.
Delhi High Court refuses interim protection to @TheQuint and @thewire_in from action against non-compliance with IT Rules, 2021.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 7, 2021
ASG Chetan Sharma: Digital media publishers, including 1,200 independent publishers have already submitted their information. Why can't they?
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 7, 2021
Ramakrishnan: This is not a matter of voice vote. We have challenged the rules, they haven't.
While senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, counsel for the digital publications, told the court that she was ready to argue the stay and main applications of the case, the government wanted time till August 20 to file their counter affidavit.
Additional solicitor general Chetan Sharma told the court that 1,200 digital media houses, including independent publishers, had already complied with the rules. Ramakrishnan retorted, “We have challenged the rules, they haven't. What they're trying to do is in the face of a Supreme Court order which says government control of the media is unacceptable."
Court: Respondents are seeking time to file their counter affidavit. Time as prayed for is granted. List on Aug 20.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 7, 2021
Ramakrishnan: Atleast I may be protected till then. They haven't even filed their reply. My Lords may say no adverse steps to be taken.
Refusing any stay on implementation of the notification regarding the IT rules, the bench had said, "The matter is pending before the regular division bench, no stay was granted. They are only implementing the notification on which there is no stay. There is no question of interim relief.”
However the bench added that in case any coercive steps are taken, the petitioners would be at liberty to seek an urgent hearing.
Also Read: ‘Digital media ethics rules go against fundamental principle of news’, says DIGIPUB
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