Bombay HC to deliver verdict on pleas filed by Kunal Kamra and others regarding fake news on Jan 31

The Bombay High Court has decided to extend its verdict on the pleas filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and others challenging the 2023 amendment of Information Technology (IT) Rules for Intermediaries. The verdict, which was supposed to be delivered on Monday, will now be announced on January 31. This decision comes after the central government stated that it would not notify the Fact Check Unit until then.

The IT rules in question include the establishment of a Fact Checking Unit (FCU) to identify and flag fake, false, and misleading information on social media platforms. The government had earlier mentioned that the FCU would be responsible for identifying such information. However, critics, including Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, and the Association of Indian Magazines, have raised concerns about the arbitrary nature of these rules and their potential impact on citizens’ fundamental rights.

The Centre has clarified that the Rules are not intended to suppress opinions, criticism, satire, or humor but to combat the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media. The petitions filed against the amended Rules seek to declare them unconstitutional and prevent the government from taking action against individuals based on these rules.

The high court, comprising Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale, concluded the arguments in this matter last year. The final verdict on the legality of the IT Rules and the establishment of the Fact Checking Unit is eagerly awaited by all parties involved.