Document Fragment View

Matching Fragments

These matters have been heard through video conferencing because of COVID-19 pandemic.

Heard Dr. K.N. Singh, learned Additional Solicitor General of India assisted by Sri Manoj Kumar Singh, learned C.G.C., for the Union of India, Sri Arvind Datar, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Pavit Singh Katoch, Mr. Aasish Somasi, learned Advocates, for respondent no.9-WhatsApp, LLC, Sri Gauhar Mirza and Sri Tejas Karia, learned Advocates for the respondent No.5-Instagram LLC, Sri Mukul Rohatgi, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Ajit Warrier, Mr. Varun Pathak, Smt. Ekta Sharma and Smt. Sheniza Farid, learned Advocates for respondent no.11-Meta Platforms, Inc., Sri P.N. Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.38807 of 2020(15) dt.01-02-2022 Shahi, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Apurv Harsh, Sri Sujit Kumar and Sri Prashant Bhardwaj, learned Advocates for the State Bank of India, Sri Amit Shrivastava, learned Senior Advocate, assisted by Sri Girish Pandey, Smt. Mamta Rani, Smt. Shrruttima Ehersa, Sri Rohan Ahuja, Sri Vatsalya Vishal and Smt. Riya Gupta, learned Advocates, for the respondent nos. 8 and 12, Youtube LLC & Google LLC., Sri Kaushal Kumar Jha, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Amit Prakash, learned Advocate for the Reserve Bank of India (for short "R.B.I.), Sri Ajay, G.A.-5 assisted by Sri Shailendra Kumar, Sri Binod Kumar, Sri Tarkeshwar Nath Thakur, learned APPs for the State along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarpur, Sri Bhaskar Shankar and Smt. Prakritita Sharma, learned counsel for the Intervenors, Sri S.A. Narayan, learned Senior Advocate with Sri Suresh Prasad Singh, learned Advocate for the Punjab National Bank (for short "P.N.B."), Sri Harendra Prasad Singh, learned Advocate for the B.S.N.L., Sri Shailesh Thakur, Additional Director of Financial Intelligence Unit and Sri Vishwanath Prasad Sinha, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Smt. Soni Srivastava, learned counsel for the Economic Offences Unit (for short "EOU").

Let the name of the branch of S.B.I. mentioned at page no.5 of the order dated 21.01.2022 be read as "S.B.I. PBB S.K. Puri" in place of "Kidwaipuri Branch".

Matter being investigated by the E.O.U. pursuant to the order of this Court.

Sri Amit Shrivastava, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Girish Pandey, Smt. Mamta Rani, Smt. Shruttima Ehersa, Sri Rohan Ahuja, Sri Vatsalya Vishal and Smt. Riya Gupta, learned Advocates for the respondent nos. 8 and 12, Youtube LLC & Google LLC has informed this Court that they have blocked all the URLs, the details of which were shared by the E.O.U. with respondent nos. 8 and 12 namely, Youtube LLC & Google LLC. He also submits that Youtube LLC and Google LLC are fully cooperating with the E.O.U. in investigation of E.O.U. P.S. Case No.30 of 2021. He further submits that in case any further details are required by the E.O.U., the Youtube LLC Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.38807 of 2020(15) dt.01-02-2022 and Google LLC will supply the same to the E.O.U. at the earliest, and in order to facilitate the same, he has requested that a copy thereof may be marked to him also when E.O.U. sent e- mail to Youtube LLC and Google LLC.

Sri Vishwanath Prasad Sinha, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Smt. Soni Srivastava, learned Advocate for the E.O.U. has submitted that henceforth Mr. Amit Srivastava, learned Senior Advocate will be forwarded all the e- mails which are being sent by the E.O.U. to Youtube LLC and Google LLC seeking information in connection with E.O.U. P.S. Case No. 30 of 2021.

At the very outset, Mr. Mukul Rohatgi, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the respondent no.11-Meta Platforms, Inc. submits that he wants two weeks' time to file an affidavit on behalf of respondent no.11-Meta Platforms, Inc. He further submits that the names of five URLs, details of which have been provided by the E.O.U., may also be provided to respondent no.11-Meta Platforms, Inc. so that the said URLs can be blocked or taken down by the respondent no.11-Meta Platforms, Inc. E.O.U. is directed to send the details of five URLs which are to be taken down and blocked by Meta Platforms, Inc. Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.38807 of 2020(15) dt.01-02-2022 or Sri Samir Ali Khan, learned Advocate representing the Meta Platforms, Inc. By order dated 27.01.2022, respondent no.11-Meta Platforms, Inc. was granted ten days time to file its affidavit to consider the submission of Sri Mukul Rohatgi, learned Senior Advocate, that they cannot block or take down the objectionable videos without any Court order.