Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Sept 9: On a petition filed by the Software Freedom Law Centre asking for directions to the states not to suspend internet services on the grounds of preventing cheating in competitive examinations and for other such common administrative reasons, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MEITY) on Friday.
The bench headed by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit sought a response from the MEITY, asking it to file an affidavit indicating whether there is any standard protocol with respect to the grievance raised by the petitioner
The petitioner, the Software Freedom Law Center, a legal services organisation that works to advance and defend digital rights and freedoms, was represented by attorney Vrinda Grover.
According to the petition, the parties came before the court to ask that the arbitrary and unfair practise of telecom service shutdowns end since it is against the law and goes against the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution.
The internet has been unavailable for more than 71 hours as a result of 12 shutdowns ordered due to exam-related concerns, the petition claims.
According to the official data, there have been 12 shutdowns totaling more than 71 hours of internet service disruption for a sizable population, presumably to stop exam cheating, which is not based on any legal necessity, according to the petition.
The argument also aimed to overturn a broad order Rajasthan, the respondent state, issued on September 2, 2017, giving its divisional commissioners the authority to halt internet access.
