Delhi High Court - Orders
Foundation For Independent Journalism ... vs Union Of India & Anr on 14 October, 2024
Author: Manmohan
Bench: Tushar Rao Gedela, Manmohan
$~21 to 40 & 51
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
(21)
+ W.P.(C) 3125/2021, CM APPL. 9491/2021 & CM APPL. 18918/2021
FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM & ORS.
.....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Mr. Prasanna S, Adv
Versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR. ...Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(22)
+ W.P.(C) 3483/2021 & CM APPL. 27226/2021
SANJAY KUMAR SINGH .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:17
(23)
+ W.P.(C) 3659/2021, CM APPL. 11097/2021 & CM APPL.
18916/2021
QUINT DIGITAL MEDIA LIMITED & ANR. .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Prasanna S, Adv
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(24)
+ W.P.(C) 5973/2021 & CM APPL. 18880/2021
PRAVDA MEDIA FOUNDATION .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Aaditya Vijaykumar, Ms. Katoch
and Ms. Harshita Goel, Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(25)
+ W.P.(C) 6188/2021 & CM APPL. 19591/2021
THE PRESS TRUST OF INDIA LIMITED .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. N.B. Joshi with Mr. Anurag
Ranjan, Advs.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:17
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Versus
UNION OF INDIA & ANR. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(26)
+ W.P.(C) 7281/2021, CM APPL. 22944/2021 & CM APPL.
46798/2024
FACEBOOK INC. .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Vivek Reddy, Mr. Varun Pathak,
Ms. Amee Rana, Mr. Thejesh
Rajendran and Mr. Yasu
Karunakaran, Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Sandeep Arya and Mr. Vikram,
Advs. for impleader applicant
Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:17
(27)
+ W.P.(C) 7284/2021, CM APPL. 22951/2021 & CM APPL.
46558/2024
WHATSAPP LLC .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Tejas Karia, Adv., Ms. Swati
Agarwal, Adv., Mr. Shashank Mishra,
Adv., Ms. Akshi Rastogi, Adv. Ms.
Vedika Rathore, Adv.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(28)
+ 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. Utkarsh Diwedi and Ms.
Madhu Vishnoi, Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Versus
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
Mr. Tejas Karia, Mr. Varun Pathak,
Ms. Amee Rana, Mr. Tejpal Singh
Rathore and Ms. Vibhuti Vasisth,
Advs. for R-2.
(29)
+ W.P.(C) 6219/2024
LIVE LAW MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED AND ORS....Petitioners
Through: Ms. Vrinda Bhandari, Ms. Anandita
Rana and Ms. Rubayya Tasneem,
Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(30)
+ W.P.(C) 6220/2024
BHAKTA TRIPATHY .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Versus
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(31)
+ W.P.(C) 6375/2024
T M KRISHNA .....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Vrinda Bhandari, Ms. Anandita
Rana and Ms. Rubayya Tasneem,
Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(32)
+ W.P.(C) 6390/2024
THE NEWS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION AND ORS.
.....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Nisha Bhambhani, Mr. Rajat
Arora and Ms. Mariya, Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
Versus
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY AND ANR. ....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(33)
+ W.P.(C) 6391/2024
DIGITAL NEWS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Nachiket B. Joshi, Mr. Shivek
Trehan and Ms. Rishika Goyal, Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG with Mr.
Apoorv Kurup, CGSC, Ms. Nidhi
Mittal and Mr. Arnav Mittal, Advs.
for UOI.
(34)
+ W.P.(C) 6393/2024
TRUTH PRO FOUNDATION INDIA .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG with Mr.
Apoorv Kurup, CGSC, Ms. Nidhi
Mittal and Mr. Arnav Mittal, Advs.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
(35)
+ W.P.(C) 7376/2024
AGIJ PROMOTION OF NINETTENONEA MEDIA PVT. LTD
AND ORS .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Darius Khambata, Sr. Adv., Mr.
Mihir Desai, Sr. Adv., Mr. C.U.
Singh, Sr. Adv. with Ms. Astha
Sharma, Ms. Anju Thomas, Ms.
Mantika Haryani, Mr. Rohin Bhatt
and Mr. Sadeeq Sherwani, Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(36)
+ W.P.(C) 7377/2024
NIKHIL MANGESH WAGLE .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Krishan Kumar, Mr. Seemant K.
Garg and Mr. Abhay Nevagi, Advs.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
(37)
+ W.P.(C) 7528/2024, CM APPL. 31345/2024 & CM APPL.
31346/2024
AMOL PALEKAR .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Mrigank Prabhakar, Adv.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG with Mr.
Apoorv Kurup, CGSC, Ms. Nidhi
Mittal and Mr. Arnav Mittal, Advs.
for UOI.
(38)
+ W.P.(C) 9137/2024
PRAVEEN ARIMBRATHODIYIL .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through: Ms. Manisha Agrawal Narain, CGSC
with Mr. Chandan Deep Singh, Mr.
Sandeep Singh Somaria and Mr.
Akhil Gupta, Advs.
(39)
+ W.P.(C) 11055/2024
SAYANTI SENGUPTA .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(40)
+ W.P.(CRL) 2415/2024
WHATS APP LLC .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Tejas Karia, Adv., Ms. Swati
Agarwal, Adv., Mr. Shashank Mishra,
Adv., Ms. Akshi Rastogi, Adv. Ms.
Vedika Rathore, Adv.
Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Nitin
Sharma, Mr. Vivek Ayyagari, Ms.
Srishti Kumar, Mr. Rishabh Rao and
Ms. Swikriti Singhania, Advs. for
BDF.
versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
(51)
+ W.P.(CRL) 2766/2024
WHATSAPP LLC .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Tejas Karia, Adv., Ms. Swati
Agarwal, Adv., Mr. Shashank Mishra,
Adv., Ms. Akshi Rastogi, Adv. Ms.
Vedika Rathore, Adv.
versus
UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Kirtiman Singh, CGSC with Mr.
Waize Ali Noor, Mr. Ranjeev
Khatana and Mr. Maulik Khurrena,
Advs.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
CORAM:
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TUSHAR RAO GEDELA
ORDER
% 14.10.2024
1. Leaned Coordinator for the petitioners has segregated the issues in the matters challenging The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The said segregated list reads as under:
S. Matter details Native High
No. Court
Challenge to Part III (Code of Ethics and Procedure and Safeguards in Relation to Digital Media)
1. AGIJ Promotion Ninteenonia Media Private Ltd. and Ors. v. Bombay High UoI and Anr. WP (C) 7376/2024 Court
2. Pravda Media Foundation v. Union of India & Anr. WP (C) Delhi High 5973/2021 Court
3. Quint Digital Media & Anr v. Union of India & Anr. WP (C) Delhi High 3659/2021 Court
4. Foundation for Independent Journalism & Ors v. UoI & Anr. Delhi High WP (C) 3125/2021 Court
5. Truth Pro Foundation India v. Union of India WP (C) Karnataka 6393/2024 High Court
6. Bhakta Tripathy v. Union of India and Ors. WP (C) 6220/2024 Orissa High Court
7. News Broadcasters Association and Ors v. Union of India & Kerala High Ors. WP (C) 6390/2024 Court
8. Press Trust of India v. Union of India WP (C) 6188/2021 Delhi High 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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
9. Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) v. UoI and Anr. Madras High WP (C) 6391/2024 Court
10. Amol Palekar v. Union of India WP (C) 7528/2024 Delhi High Court
11. Live Law Media Private Limited and Ors v. Union of India and Kerala High Anr. WP (C) 6219/2024 Court
12. TM Krishna v. Union of India and Anr. WP (C) 6375/2024 Madras High Court
13. Nikhil Mangesh Wagle v. Union of India WP (C) 7377/2024 Bombay High Court Challenge to Part II (Due Diligence by Intermediaries and Grievance Redressal Mechanism)
14. Sanjay Kumar Singh v. Union of India & Ors WP(C) 3483/2021 Delhi High Court
15. T V Today Network Limited & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors. WP Delhi High (C) 4912/2024 Court
16. WhatsApp LLC v. Union of India WP (C) 7284/2021 Delhi High Court
17. WhatsApp LLC v. Union of India & Ors. WP (Crl) 2415/2024 Tripura High Court
18. WhatsApp LLC v Union of India (& State of Kerala) WP (Crl) Kerala High 2766/2024 Court
19. Facebook Inc. v. Union of India WP (C) 7281/2021 Delhi High Court
20. Sayanti Sengupta v. Union of India and Anr. WP (C) Calcutta High 11055/2024 Court
21. Praveen Arimbrathodiyil v. Union of India WP (C) 9137/2024 Kerala High Court
22. Amol Palekar v. Union of India WP(C) 7528/2024 Delhi High Court Note: Also at S No. 10 (Challenge to Part III) 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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
23. Live Law Media Private Limited and Ors v. Union of India and Kerala High Anr. WP(C) 6219/2024 Court Note: Also at S No. 11 (Challenge to Part III)
24. TM Krishna v. Union of India and Anr. WP(C) 6375/2024 Madras High Court Note: Also at S No. 12 (Challenge to Part III)
25. Nikhil Mangesh Wagle v. Union of India WP (C) 7377/2024 Bombay High Court Note: Also at S No. 13 (Challenge to Part III) List of Additional Matters S. Matter Details and Status of Transfer Native High No. Court
1. Charitha v. MeitY and MIB, WP No. 10796/2021 Karnataka High Court Note: Transferred by Hon'ble Supreme Court's order dated July 23, 2024 in TP (C) Nos 2154-2155/2021
2. Indian Broadcasting and Digital Association, Sun TV & SJ Madras High Clement v MeitY and MIB, WP 25619/2021 Court Note: Yet to be transferred
2. With consent of the parties, it is directed that challenge to Part III (Code Of Ethics and Procedure and Safeguards in Relation to Digital Media) shall be taken up for hearing first. The Coordinator for the petitioners is directed to file a convenience compilation within two weeks.
3. Mr. Darius Khambata, Senior Advocate, who is to open the arguments on behalf of the petitioners, is directed to file his short written submission not exceeding five pages along with the compilation of judgments that he wishes to rely upon at least a week prior to the next date of hearing.
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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18
4. The respondents are permitted to complete the pleadings within two weeks.
5. List on 11th November, 2024 at 02:30 p.m. MANMOHAN, CJ TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J OCTOBER 14, 2024 N.Khanna 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 05/11/2024 at 18:45:18