Latest news with #VinaiKumarSaxena
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HC seeks Centre reply on plea on Delhi Police's powers over online content
The Delhi high court has sought responses from the Union government and lieutenant governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on a petition challenging a Central notification that empowers Delhi Police officers to issue takedown orders to social media platforms for removing online content. A bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela on Wednesday issued notice to the LG and the Union ministry of electronics and information technology (MEIT) on a plea filed by the Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC). The matter will be heard next on September 17. The petition pertains to a gazette notification issued on December 26, 2024, through which Saxena authorised at least 23 senior Delhi Police officers to issue takedown orders under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology (IT) Act. This section makes intermediaries — such as Facebook, YouTube, Jio, and Cloudflare — liable for third-party content if they fail to remove unlawful material after being notified by the 'appropriate government' or its agency. According to the notification, officers authorised to issue such notices include DCPs of Delhi's districts, the intelligence fusion and strategic operations (IFSO) unit, economic offences wing, crime branch, special cell, special branch, IGI Airport, Railways and Metro units. These officers can act in cases reported within their jurisdiction and 'notify instances of information, data or communication links' connected to any computer resource used to commit an unlawful act. The notification also designated the joint commissioner of police, IFSO, as the state nodal officer, with the DCP IFSO appointed as assistant state nodal officer. SFLC, represented by advocate Talha Abdul Rehman, argued that empowering police officers to issue unilateral takedown orders without judicial oversight was 'arbitrary' and 'violative of due process'. 'The statutory power to block or remove online content is exclusively vested in the Central Government under Section 69A of the IT Act, read with the Information Technology Rules, 2009. The impugned notification, by granting these powers to the police, oversteps constitutional and statutory boundaries and is, therefore, ultra vires the parent legislation,' the plea said. It further argued that only the Centre has the authority to issue such directives under Section 69A and that the move violates Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. It also contradicts landmark Supreme Court judgments that underscore the importance of legal safeguards and proportionality in actions affecting fundamental rights.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Delhi HC seeks response on challenge to Delhi Police's online content takedown powers
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has issued a notice in response to a plea challenging a notification by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena that grants the Delhi Police authority to issue takedown orders for online content on social media platforms. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, on Wednesday acknowledged the submission made by the Software Freedom Law Centre ( and sought responses from the LG Office and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), directing that they be submitted within six weeks. SFLC has contested the constitutional validity of the notification, which designates the Delhi Police as the Nodal Agency under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021), enabling it to issue takedown orders for online content. The petition argues that allowing police officers to independently direct content removal, without judicial or external oversight, risks enabling unchecked censorship and arbitrary limitations on constitutionally protected free speech. It was argued that neither the IT Rules, 2021, nor Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act confer any authority for the establishment of a Nodal Agency, Nodal Officer, or any other positions specified in the contested Notification. Section 79 solely provides conditional immunity to intermediaries and delineates their due diligence responsibilities; it does not grant executive power to the State or Union to institute a mechanism for speech regulation or restriction. It was also contended that the authority to restrict access to online content falls exclusively within the purview of Section 69A, alongside the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009 (referred to as the 'Blocking Rules, 2009'). The Central Government has already exercised its authority to appoint a designated officer for issuing blocking orders through the formal implementation of these rules. The statutory framework does not envisage the establishment of any parallel or supplementary authority, particularly at the direction of a state-level executive. The plea stated that the IT Act does not provide for the creation or operation of a Nodal Agency in the manner proposed by the contested Notification. (ANI)
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Delhi celebrates 11 yrs of Modi govt, State's 100 days
New Delhi: A special discussion programme was held at Bharat Bharatam in the national capital to mark 11 years of service by the Central Government and to review the 100-day action plan and achievements of the newly formed Delhi Government. The event witnessed the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, senior officials, policy experts, and representatives from various sectors. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has successfully advanced the vision of development, trust, and a "nation first" approach. She highlighted flagship initiatives such as Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Ayushman Bharat, and India's influential role on international platforms like the G-20 as examples of the country's evolving global identity. "Prime Minister Modi's leadership has not only positioned India as a resilient global power but also demonstrated unwavering commitment to citizen welfare through bold initiatives such as Operation Sindoor," Gupta stated. The Chief Minister also lauded the contributions of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, noting that his three-year tenure has significantly strengthened governance and transparency in Delhi. Initiatives undertaken during his term include Yamuna river rejuvenation, action against unauthorized constructions, and key infrastructure upgrades. Efforts were also directed at enhancing peace and public safety across the capital. Gupta underscored the Delhi Government's focus on public welfare in its first 100 days. 'Every cabinet minister and MLA has worked tirelessly with a spirit of service to restore broken systems and return Delhi to a path of good governance and development,' she said. Describing the initial 100 days as a turning point, the Chief Minister highlighted major policy decisions and reforms, including a record-breaking ₹1 lakh crore budget aimed at infrastructure development. In the health sector, the government rolled out Ayushman Bharat in Delhi, granting health coverage to millions. Additionally, the Vaya Vandana Yojana was launched, offering free health insurance of up to ₹10 lakh to senior citizens above 70 years. Infrastructure improvements include the establishment of 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 11 integrated public health labs, and nine critical care hospital blocks. To combat climate change and rising temperatures, the Delhi Government launched the Delhi Heat Action Plan 2025 and approved cloud seeding trials to mitigate air pollution. Public hearing camps are now being held across districts every Saturday to directly address citizens' concerns, alongside efforts to streamline the grievance redressal a bid to empower women, the government approved the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, and increased minimum wage rates, benefiting approximately 40 lakh workers across the city. Concluding her address, Chief Minister Gupta reaffirmed her government's commitment to service, transparency, and accessibility. 'Our mission is to make Delhi a model of cleanliness, safety, and sustainable development. This is our vision of a truly developed capital,' she said.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi Assembly to operate entirely on solar energy, save up to Rs 15 lakh monthly
New Delhi: In an initiative that may position Delhi at the forefront of India's green governance movement, lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Delhi legislative assembly speaker Vijender Gupta laid the foundation stone for a 500 kW solar power plant at the assembly project will make the Delhi legislative assembly the first in the country to operate entirely on solar energy, setting a national benchmark for sustainable and responsible governance. Chief minister Rekha Gupta also attended the event as the chief on the occasion, Saxena said the project was the foundation for a "cleaner and greener future" rooted in responsible governance. He highlighted that despite spatial and technical constraints, the plant was being scaled up from the existing 200 kW to 500 kW. Saxena also assured that Delhi Development Authority will fully support efforts to designate the assembly as a heritage site. "Having visited the assembly earlier, I am keen on protecting its rich history," he said the solar energy project was expected to yield monthly savings of up to ₹15 lakh. With surplus energy generation, he added that the project holds the potential to become a revenue-generating model. "These savings will not only recover the installation costs but will also cover the assembly's long-term electricity needs, effectively resulting in zero electricity bills," the Speaker also spoke about the assembly's ongoing modernisation and sustainability initiatives, which included the digitisation of its library, the implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application, a light and sound show, and infrastructure chief minister, in her address, said that the solar power plan in the assembly aligned closely with the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Lost Their Money - Learn From Their Lesson Expertinspector Click Here Undo She highlighted that under this scheme, residents can avail themselves of subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for adopting solar minister Parvesh Verma, power minister Ashish Sood, deputy speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, and several MLAs and officials were also present at the event.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Delhi L-G to lay foundation stone for Assembly's 500 KW solar power plant tomorrow
The Delhi Assembly will take a big step toward becoming the country's first fully solar-powered legislature with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena set to lay the foundation stone for a 500 KW solar power plant on the premises on Monday, an official said. The new green energy source is expected to result in zero electricity bills, generating estimated savings of approximately Rs 15 lakh per month, while dramatically reducing the carbon footprint of one of Delhi's most vital democratic institutions, an official said on Sunday. "This fast-tracked implementation highlights the government's urgency and commitment to transforming governance into a model of environmental stewardship," said Speaker Vijender Gupta. Apart from the Speaker, the foundation laying event will be attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, Minister for Public Works Department Parvesh Sahib Singh and Minister for Power Ashish Sood. On Saturday, the Speaker convened a meeting to deliberate on key operational and logistical aspects of this significant project, reaffirming the Assembly's dedication to advancing clean energy adoption and environmental responsibility. CM Gupta said the ambitious solar initiative reflects the Assembly's strong commitment to sustainability. The upcoming 500 KW installation - scheduled for completion within just 45 days, ahead of the monsoon session and well ahead of the original 60-day timeline - will significantly expand the Assembly's existing solar infrastructure, he said. The old 200 KW rooftop solar system is being dismantled to make way for the new installation, which will enable the Assembly to run entirely on solar power, he said. This fast-tracked implementation highlights the government's urgency and commitment to transforming governance into a model of environmental stewardship, he said. The foundation stone-laying event marks not only an environmental milestone but a powerful declaration of intent - signalling a future where governance and sustainability go hand in hand, said the Speaker.
