The Supreme Court on July 6 declined to entertain a plea against the internet shutdowns imposed several times in Manipur since May 3. The plea was turned down by a bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra.
Manipur Unrest
The Supreme Court, while rejecting to hear the plea, stated that the Manipur High Court is already considering the matter. “The division bench is seized of the matter. Why don’t you move the high court? Because the moment we issue notice, high court will stop looking into the matter,” the Supreme Court bench told advocate Shadan Farasat, who was appearing for the petitioners.
The petition was filed by two Manipur residents – Chongtham Victor Singh, a lawyer, and Mayengbam James, a businessman. The High Court had directed the Biren Singh-led BJP government in the state to partially restore internet service in the violence-hit state.
“Continued suspension of the internet for the purpose of preventing rumour-mongering and the spread of misinformation does not pass the threshold prescribed by the Telecom Suspension Rules, 2017,” the plea said.
