SC issues notice to Centre on plea by ‘4PM News' challenging blocking of its YouTube channel
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan sought replies on the petition filed by Sanjay Sharma, the editor-in-chief of 4PM News, and listed the matter for next week, Live Law reported.
On April 29, the YouTube channel of 4PM News was blocked by the Union government. YouTube said that the channel was 'unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order'. The channel had about 7.3 million subscribers.
Sharma claimed that the ban was an attempt to ' crush a strong voice of democracy in the name of national security'. The channel had uploaded several videos criticising the Narendra Modi-led Union government after the Pahalgam terror attack, Newslaundry reported.
In his petition before the court, Sharma said that the channel was blocked following an undisclosed direction issued by the Union government on the grounds of 'national security' and 'public order'. The journalist added that he had not received any formal order on the blocking of the channel.
The petition noted that reasoned orders and a reasonable opportunity to be heard should be given before any blocking under Section 69A of the 2000 Information Technology Act.
'It settled law that the Constitution does not permit blanket removal of content without an opportunity to be heard,' Bar and Bench quoted the petition as saying. ''National security' and 'public order' are not talismanic invocations to insulate executive action from scrutiny. They are constitutionally recognised grounds under Article 19(2), but are subject to the test of reasonableness and proportionality.'
Article 19(2) of the Constitution permits the state to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression.
'A vague reference to these grounds, without even disclosing the offending content, makes it impossible for the petitioner to challenge or remedy the allegation, thereby depriving him of his fundamental right to free speech and fair hearing,' Sharma added.
The petition called the action taken by the Union government a 'chilling assault on journalistic independence' and sought the quashing of the order blocking the YouTube channel.
At the hearing in court on Monday, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Sharma, said that the Union government did not issue a notice to him prior to the blocking of the channel, Live Law reported.
'This is ex-facie unconstitutional,' Live Law quoted Sibal as saying. 'I don't even have the blocking order. I don't know what is against me.'
The bench will hear the case further next week.
On Thursday, the Editors Guild of India expressed concern about the Union government ordering the blocking of 4 PM's YouTube channel and demanded a 'transparent and accountable mechanism' for the takedown of journalistic content.
The press association said that it was 'deeply concerned' by the Union government's directive to block access to 4PM News' YouTube channel on grounds of national security or public order 'without any disclosure of the specific reasons or evidence, and without following principles of natural justice'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
38 minutes ago
- India.com
President Murmu nominates 4 members to Rajya Sabha, names include Ujjwal Nikam, Shringla and…
President Murmu nominates 4 members to Rajya Sabha, names include Ujjwal Nikam, Shringla and… President Droupadi Murmu Saturday nominated four persons to the Rajya Sabha. The names included Ujjwal Nikam, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Meenakshi Jain. By Joy Pillai Edited by Joy Pillai Advertisement President Murmu nominates 4 members to Rajya Sabha, names include Ujjwal Nikam, Shringla and... New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday nominated four persons to the upper house of Parliament – Rajya Sabha. She has nominated historian Dr Meenakshi Jain, lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, and Kerala-based teacher, social worker C. Sadanandan Master, and seasoned diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla. According to an official Gazette notification, the new nominations have been made to replace members who have retired. Advertisement === The President of India used her powers to nominate individuals as Rajya Sabha members under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution. This section of the Indian constitution authorises the President to nominate members possessing special knowledge or immense practical knowledge in literature, science, art and social service. Among the nominated members, Ujjwal Nikam is the most prominent face. The public prosecutor is known for his role as Special Public Prosecutor in the Mumbai terror attacks (26/11) trial. In last year's Lok Sabha election, he was given a ticket by the BJP from the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency. However, he was defeated by Congress's Varsha Gaikwad. Advertisement === Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and congratulated Nikam for his new responsibility. 'Shri Ujjwal Nikam's devotion to the legal field and to our Constitution is exemplary. He has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases. During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity. It's gladdening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. My best wishes for his Parliamentary innings,' PM Modi wrote on X. Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla served several crucial posts, including Ambassador to Bangladesh, US, and Thailand. He also worked for the government as the chief coordinator for India's G20 presidency in 2023. 'Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he's made key contributions to India's foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 Presidency. Glad that he's been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich parliamentary proceedings,' PM Modi said. C Sadanandan Master, a long-time BJP member, is a respected educator and social activist from Kerala. He ran for the Kerala Assembly in 2021 and is known for surviving a violent 1994 attack by suspected CPI(M) members, resulting in the loss of both his legs. 'Shri C. Sadanandan Master's life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn't deter his spirit towards national development.,' PM Modi posted on X. President also nominated Dr Meenakshi Jain. She is a prominent historian and an ex-Associate Professor of History at Gargi College, Delhi University. She has received significant academic recognition for her work. 'Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly. Best wishes for her Parliamentary tenure,' the Prime Minister said.
Mint
42 minutes ago
- Mint
Who is Ujjwal Nikam? Rajya Sabha nominee and prosecutor in 26/11 Mumbai attack trial against Ajmal Kasab
President Droupadi Murmu nominated four prominent leaders to the Rajya Sabha on Saturday, July 12. One of them is Advocate and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ujjwal Deorao Nikam. Ujjwal Deorao Nikam is a public prosecutor known for handling high-profile criminal cases. He hails from Maharashtra's Jalgaon. One of the key cases he handled as the Special Public Prosecutor was the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trial. The celebrated lawyer had represented Maharashtra and lead the prosecution against terrorist Ajmal Kasab. The 1991 Bombay bomb blasts case, the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and the 2003 Gateway of India bombings are among other terror-related cases where he represented Maharashtra. Nikam also argued in major cases such as the Gulshan Kumar murder case and the murder trial of BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, News 18 reported. In his decades-long career, Nikam worked under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, the Hindu reported. Nikam has also received several awards for his contribution to the legal field. In 2016, the Government of India awarded him the prestigious Padma Shri. Ujjwal Nikam is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. He lost Maharashtra's Mumbai North Central seat in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ujjwal Nikam, saying that his 'devotion to the legal field and to our Constitution is exemplary.' Nikam "has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases," PM Modi said, adding that during his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity. "It's gladdening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. My best wishes for his Parliamentary innings," Nikam said. On being nominated to the Rajya Sabha, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said, "Its a proud moment for me. I never thought or expected to be nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha by the President of India." He said he had received a phone call from PM Narendra Modi, who had asked him 'if he should talk in Hi ndi or in Marathi. Both of us started laughing.' "He then spoke to me in Marathi and told me that the President wants to give me responsibility, after which he informed me about the President's decision. I immediately said yes...," Nikam said. "I want to thank the President, the Prime Minister and the party leadership. I assure that I will discharge my duties as a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing the President of India, truly and honestly...," he added. Besides Nikam, three others have also been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Murmu. They are Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master, and historian Meenakshi Jain.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Telangana bags Rs 1,500 crore in PMAY-Urban boost for Indiramma housing scheme; 1.1 lakh housing units sanctioned
HYDERABAD: In a major boost to the ongoing Indiramma housing scheme in the urban areas of Telangana, the Centre sanctioned 1.13 lakh housing units to the state under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Urban 2.0). As part of this, the state will receive nearly Rs 1,500 crore in Central funds. A senior official in the housing department told TOI that Telangana is on top among other states in the country in terms of getting a sanction of Rs 1,500 crore worth of housing units as part of the Central share under PMAY-Urban 2.0. Even a poll-bound state like Bihar has not been sanctioned so many housing units, and neither the BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh nor Gujarat have got so many units sanctioned to date under PMAY-Urban 2.0. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Chief minister A Revanth Reddy and other ministers have met Union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar on several occasions in New Delhi and urged him to sanction 20 lakh housing units. The state govt has set a target of constructing 20 lakh Indiramma houses with a budget of Rs 22,500 crore in the next five years. Of the target, 2.50 lakh houses were sanctioned in the first phase of the programme, and already construction on 1.5 lakh housing units started at various places across the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The Congress govt is extending Rs 5 lakh as financial assistance to the Indiramma housing scheme beneficiaries for the construction of the housing units. Of the Rs 5 lakh, the Centre's share under PMAY-Urban 2.0 will be Rs 1.5 lakh for each unit and Rs 3.5 lakh by the state govt. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0) - 'Housing for All' Mission provides financial assistance targeted to provide 1 crore urban poor and middle-class families to construct, purchase, or rent a house at an affordable cost in exuded confidence in getting approval of Central funds in rural areas under PMAY soon, as the list of beneficiaries of Indiramma housing is ready and would soon be hosted on the Centre's website, a mandatory condition set forth by the Union housing and urban affairs ministry for its funding to the states.
