SEKAR REPORTER

Court News from Madras High Court

CRL. O.P. NO. 34166 OF 2019 M.DHANDAPANI, J. Though this Court could wield its judicial power to curb the menace and maintain the social decorum and harmony in the society.  However, it is the duty of the law enforcing agencies to be more vigilant and go to the rescue of the affected persons, rather than putting it on the head of the Court to interfere in each and every single instance.  Only with that view in mind this Court had constituted the Special Cells and, therefore, the operation of the Special Cells at the earliest is of utmost importance. List the matter for filing of comprehensive report by the 2nd respondent and also for the report of the Electronics Corporation of India with regard to the opening of tender on 02.11.2022.

by ·

CRL. O.P. NO. 34166 OF 2019 M.DHANDAPANI, J.

A decade and a half ago, it was only the print media which would take the good and bad information to the general public and many a times, the media was very conscious of their reporting, which resulted in the citizens being fed with good information, which enhanced the image of the country through the conduct of the citizens, but the emergence of the digital media, more especially the social media platforms, and coupled with the rights that have been vested on the citizens by the Constitution, not having been understood properly, the citizens, through the various social media platforms cause havoc to the nation and degrade the credibility and respect which the other countries around the globe have on Mother India.

  1. This Court, vide order dated 26.07.2022 had impleaded the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu as a party-respondent, who had been entrusted with the task of floating the tender for the purchase of equipments with which the surveillance could be taken up of the social media platforms and to nip in the bud any slurring attacks that are vented out on individuals and also on the constitutional functionaries and high officials in the State and Central Government, upon receipt of complaints.
  2. Learned counsel appearing for Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu submitted that the tenders have been received, which will be opened within a period of one week and report with regard to the same will be filed before this Court by the next date of hearing. The said statement is recorded and the respondents are directed to take steps for procuring the equipments upon opening of the tender and establish the Special Cells at the earliest, as the matter has been on board of this Court for more than a year and half without much progress having been made in the constitution and functioning of the Special Cells, which were directed to be constituted.  A comprehensive report shall be submitted by the respondents along with the report of the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu with regard to the opening of the tenders by the next date of hearing.
  3. It has come to the notice of this Court that very many individuals, using

the YouTube Channel platform, are propagating wrong and deceitful information, which unsettles the mind of the common man.  It is to be pointed out that any digital media should be used for the good of the public and using the same to vent ire against any individuals or against constitutional functionaries and high officials in the State and Central Government would not only be a personal attack on their privacy and prestige but would also be damaging to the reputation of the said individuals and would also have a cascading effect on the work discharged by them.  The opinion among the public about the said officials would be blown to smithereens, which would not be in the interest of the Nation.

  1. However, day-in and day-out, this Court comes across very many videos, which maligns not only the constitutional functionaries and high officials in the State and Central Government, but also the common man and only to curb the social media menace, this Court had directed constitution of Special Cells with the necessary infrastructure so that as and when complaints of such nature are received, the same could be dealt with by the said special cells and the scurrilous acts could be nipped in the bud.
  2. This Court is not pointing out any particular instance or channel that castigates the individuals and the officials in the State and Central Government and the constitutional functionaries. Though this Court could wield its judicial power to curb the menace and maintain the social decorum and harmony in the society.  However, it is the duty of the law enforcing agencies to be more vigilant and go to the rescue of the affected persons, rather than putting it on the head of the Court to interfere in each and every single instance.  Only with that view in mind this Court had constituted the Special Cells and, therefore, the operation of the Special Cells at the earliest is of utmost importance.
  3. List the matter for filing of comprehensive report by the 2nd respondent and also for the report of the Electronics Corporation of India with regard to the opening of tender on 02.11.2022.

18.10.2022

GLN

Note to Office :

Issue Order copy on 20.10.2022

To

  1. The Secretary to Government Home Department

Fort St. George, Chennai.

  1. The Director General of Police
  2. The Public Prosecutor High Court, Madras.
  3. The Chairman

Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu     Chennai.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

GLN

   CRL. O.P. NO. 34166 OF 2019

      18.10.2022

You may also like...