Delhi High Court - Orders
Facebook Inc vs Union Of India on 14 August, 2024
Author: Tushar Rao Gedela
Bench: Tushar Rao Gedela
$~13, 14, 22 to 36, 41, 45 & 48
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
(13)
+ W.P.(C) 7281/2021, CM APPL. 22944/2021 & CM APPL.
46798/2024
FACEBOOK INC. .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Varun Pathak, Ms. Amee Rana
and Mr. Yash Karunakaran,
Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh,
Advocates for UOI.
Mr. Sandeep Arya and Mr. Vikram
Singh, Advocates for applicant/
Impleader.
(14)
+ W.P.(C) 7284/2021, CM APPL. 22951/2021 & CM APPL.
46558/2024
WHATSAPP LLC .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Tejas Karia, Ms. Swati Agarwal,
Mr. Shashank Mishra, Ms. Akshi
Rastogi, Mr. Parv Kaushik and Ms.
Vedika Rathore, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh,
Advocates for UOI.
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:12
Mr. Sandeep Arya and Mr. Vikram
Singh, Advocates for applicant/
Impleader.
(22)
+ W.P.(C) 4912/2024, CM APPL. 20090/2024 & CM APPL.
20091/2024
T.V. TODAY NETWORK LIMITED AND ANR .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Hrishikesh Baruah, Mr. Anurag
Mishra, Mr. Rudraksh Kaushal and
Mr. Utkaresh Dwivedi, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tejas Karia, Mr. Varun Pathak,
Ms. Amee Rana, Ms. Vibhuti
Vashisth and Mr. Tejpal Singh
Rathore, Advocates for R-2.
(23)
+ W.P.(C) 7528/2024, CM APPL. 31345/2024 & CM APPL.
31346/2024
AMOL PALEKAR .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Mrigank Prabhakar and Mr.
Gautam Prabhakar, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG with Mr.
Apoorv Kurup, CGSC and Ms. Nidhi
Mittal and Mr. Amit Gupta,
Advocates for UOI.
(24)
+ W.P.(C) 9137/2024
PRAVEEN ARIMBRATHODIYIL .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Ms. Swikriti
Singhania, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Mr.
Srishti Kumar, Ms. Astha Sehgal and
Mr. Nitin Sharma, Advocates
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:12
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through: Ms. Manisha Agrawal Narain, CGSC
with Mr. Chandandeep Singh and Mr.
Sandeep Singh Somaria, Advocates
(25)
+ W.P.(C) 3125/2021, CM APPL. 9491/2021 & CM APPL.18918/2021
FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM & ORS
.....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Prasanna S and Ms. Apoorva
Singh, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh,
Advocates for UOI
(26)
+ W.P.(C) 3483/2021 & CM APPL. 27226/2021
SANJAY KUMAR SINGH .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Ms. Swikriti
Singhania, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Mr.
Srishti Kumar, Ms. Astha Sehgal and
Mr. Nitin Sharma, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh,
Advocates for UOI
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:13
(27)
+ W.P.(C) 3659/2021, CM APPL. 11097/2021 & CM
APPL.18916/2021
QUINT DIGITAL MEDIA LIMITED & ANR .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Prasanna S and Ms. Apoorva
Singh, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh,
Advocates for UOI
(28)
+ W.P.(C) 5973/2021 & CM APPL.18880/2021
PRAVDA MEDIA FOUNDATION .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Aaditya Vijay Kumar, Ms.
Akshita Katoch and Ms. Navya
Nanda, Advocates
Mr. Prasanna S and Ms. Apoorva
Singh, Advocates (through VC)
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh,
Advocates for UOI.
(29)
+ W.P.(C) 6188/2021 & CM APPL. 19591/2021
THE PRESS TRUST OF INDIA LIMITED .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. M.N.B. Joshi and Mr. Anurag
Ranjan, Advocates
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:13
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh,
Advocates for UOI
(30)
+ W.P.(C) 6219/2024
LIVE LAW MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED AND ORS
....Petitioners
Through: Ms. Vrinda Bhandari, Mr. Abhinav
Sekhri, Ms. Anandita Rana and Ms.
Gayatri Malhotra, Advocates (through
VC)
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through:
(31)
+ W.P.(C) 6220/2024
BHAKTA TRIPATHY .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Ms. Swikriti
Singhania, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Mr.
Srishti Kumar, Ms. Astha Sehgal and
Mr. Nitin Sharma, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents
Through: Ms. Pratima N. Lakra, CGSC with
Ms. Yashika Garg and Mr. Chandan
Prajapati, Advocates for UOI
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:13
(32)
+ W.P.(C) 6375/2024
T M KRISHNA .....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Vrinda Bhandari, Mr. Abhinav
Sekhri, Ms. Anandita Rana and Ms.
Gayatri Malhotra, Advocates (through
VC)
versus
UNION OF INDIA ANR .....Respondents
Through:
(33)
+ W.P.(C) 6390/2024
THE NEWS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION AND ORS
.....Petitioners
Through: Ms. Nisha Bhambhani, Mr. Rajat
Arora & Ms. Mariya Shahab,
Advocates
versus
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ANR .....Respondents
Through:
(34)
+ W.P.(C) 6391/2024
DIGITAL NEWS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Nachiket B. Joshi, Mr. Shivek
Trehan, Ms. Rishika Goyal,
Advocates (through VC)
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through:
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:14
(35)
+ W.P.(C) 6393/2024
TRUTH PRO FOUNDATION INDIA .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Ms. Swikriti
Singhania, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Mr.
Srishti Kumar, Ms. Astha Sehgal and
Mr. Nitin Sharma, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through:
(36)
+ W.P.(C) 7377/2024
NIKHIL MANGESH WAGLE .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Ms. Swikriti
Singhania, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Mr.
Srishti Kumar, Ms. Astha Sehgal and
Mr. Nitin Sharma, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through:
(41)
+ W.P.(C) 7376/2024
AGIJ PROMOTION OF NINETTENONEA
MEDIA PVT LTD AND ORS .....Petitioners
Through:
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through:
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:14
(45)
+ W.P.(C) 11055/2024
SAYANTI SENGUPTA .....Petitioner
Through:
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through:
(48)
+ W.P.(CRL) 2415/2024
WHATS APP LLC .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Tejas Karia, Ms. Swati Agarwal,
Mr. Shashank Mishra, Ms. Akshi
Rastogi, Mr. Parv Kaushik, and Ms.
Vedika Rathore, Advocates
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tejas Karia, Mrs. Swati Agarwal,
Mr. Shashank Mishra, Ms. Akshi
Rastogi, Mr. Parv Kaushik and Ms.
Vedika Rathore, Advocates
CORAM:
HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TUSHAR RAO GEDELA
ORDER
% 14.08.2024
1. Some of the matters listed today have been received by way of transfer from the Supreme Court.
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:16
2. It is pertinent to mention that the common issue in the entire batch of matters listed today is the constitutional challenge to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
3. Learned counsel for Whats App LLC states that certain matters, which are pending consideration before the Supreme Court have been wrongly tagged with the present batch namely W.P.(C) 677/2021, W.P.(C) 1355/2021 and W.P.(C) 2947/2021.
4. Consequently, the said three matters are directed to be deleted from the cause list.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioners also point out that all the matters that have been transferred are not listed today like W.P.(C) 25619/2021 filed in Madras High Court and W.P.(Crl.) 186/2024 filed in Kerala High Court.
6. Registry is directed to ensure that the said files are received and numbered before the next date of hearing.
7. Learned counsel for the petitioners states that various facets of Rules 2021 have been challenged in the petitions listed today. They pray that the matters be segregated and heard issue wise.
8. This Court is of the view that it would be appropriate to appoint one Coordinator for the petitioners and the respondents, so that the matters can be segregated issue wise.
9. With the consent of the parties, Mr. Shashank Mishra (Mob No. 8447605059) is appointed as Coordinator on behalf of petitioners. Mr.Kirtiman Singh is appointed as Coordinator on behalf of respondents. They shall segregate the matters issue wise and furnish their segregated list to the Registry, who shall act accordingly.
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:17
10. Parties are directed to complete the pleadings within four weeks. The contesting parties shall file their written submissions not exceeding three pages along with the judgments that they seek to rely upon.
11. At this stage, this Court is informed that the Apex Court has also transferred matters challenging the vires of Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021 to this Court.
12. The Registry is directed to list the said batch of Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021 along with the present batch. However, the Registry shall show those matters as separate and independent matters.
13. List the matters for hearing on 14th October 2024. CM APPL. 46798/2024 in W.P.(C) 7281/2021
14. Present application has been filed under Order I Rule 10 CPC for impleadment of applicant-FDPPI.
15. Issue notice.
16. Learned counsel for the non-applicants accept notice. They pray for and are permitted to file their reply affidavits before the next date of hearing.
17. List on 14th October 2024.
ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J AUGUST 14, 2024 Aj This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2024 at 05:09:18