Mumbai:
The central government’s attempt to set up a fact-checking unit has been struck down by the Bombay High Court after standup comic Kunal Kamra filed a petition against the Centre’s move.
Justice AS Chandurkar said the Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2023, which empowers the Centre to set up fact-check units (FCUs) for identifying fake news online, went against Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution.
“I am of the opinion that the amendments are violative of Article 14 and Article 19 of the Constitution of India,” Justice Chandurkar said, and struck down the proposed IT amendments.
The case had gone to a third judge after a division bench of the Bombay High Court in January delivered a split verdict in this matter.
It’s the third judge’s verdict that came today.
In March, the Supreme Court stayed a notification by the Centre announcing the operational status of its official fact-check unit (FCU). The Supreme Court had said the Centre can’t go ahead until the Bombay High Court decides on the constitutionality of the matter.
