An order has been passed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration on extending the restrictions on internet speed till 29th July.
There have been blatant violations of Article 21 of the constitution as internet ensures the dignity of life so the foundation of media professionals have filed a contempt petition before the apex court which still awaits listing despite being filed weeks ago as there was still no compliance on the order of the apex court.
The order was passed by the home secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir administration on July 8 extending its previous notification issued on June 17 which was about to end on Wednesday.
The home secretary also issues a statement of reason that high-speed internet may be used to upload provocative content on social media which can attract youths to terrorist activities. He further clarified that 2G internet has created no problems for administration for COVID control, education, businesses, etc.
There has been petition because instant order was passed along with previous but the compliance of the apex court direction given on may 11 still awaits.
Wherein the bench of justice N V Ramana, B R Gavai, R Subhashreddy has ordered in the writ petition for constitution a special committee headed by the union home secretary for submitting a report on the restoration of 4G internet services in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Quoting the order of the bench, “we are of the view that the plea seeking restoration of speedy internet services by the petitioner is a matter that can affect the states and the nation. Therefore a review committee is to be constituted which consists of both the state and national level officers as state officers alone may not be able to address all the issues to look into the prevailing circumstances and determine the necessity of continuation of restriction of 4G services in Jammu and Kashmir.”
This order came yesterday however the contempt petition is filed a month ago because no committee has been formed and no report on the basis of analysis was presented by them. Thus the petition by media professions seeks to summon the secretary of home affairs and the chief secretary to explain why orders are willfully disobeyed.
It is also a matter of fact that despite being filed days back it is yet to be listed as the registry is not functioning properly on the outbreak of COVID 19. But there is an unreasonable delay which throws light on how the partiality in the listing of cases is common.
With these delays, it is also pertinent to note that a writ petition was filed by an advocate against the biased working of the registry which was dismissed by the cost of rs 100 by the bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra saying that the working of the registry is being blamed unnecessarily.
After passing an order on 17th June and then on July 8th without fear of Supreme Court orders the outcome of the contempt of court is yet to be seen.
(This news has been written and submitted by Mr. Nikhil during his course of internship at B&B Associates LLP. Mr. Nikhil is a third-year law student of Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur.)
