Gag Order

In a laudable order, the apex court has warned states and the police against curbing the media or calls for help during the pandemic and said any such move would invite contempt of court

- Shivam Sharma and India Legal News Service

ON April 30, the apex court warned state governments and the police against clamping down on the spread of information or calls for help through social media from citizens affected by coronavirus.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat was hearing a suo motu case taken by the Court to deal with Covid-19 related issues. Any move by any state to punish citizens who take to the social media to seek help for oxygen cylinders, drugs, beds, etc., would attract contempt of court, warned the bench.

Referring to threats of coercive action against people putting SOS calls on social media, the bench said: “We want to make it very clear that if citizens communicate their grievances on social media and internet then it cannot be said it is wrong information.” It further said: “Let a strong message go to all the states and DGP of states.”

Justice Chandrachud stated that the free flow of information during the 1970 famine enabled the government to tackle the problem effectively as compared to a clampdown during the 1918 epidemic. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta said the litigation was non-adversarial. “As an officer of the court, I fully agree with what Your Lordships have said.”

On the plight of medical workers, nurses and doctors, the Court said it is not enough to declare them “Covid Warriors”. The Court asked the centre what was being done for them on the ground. “What is being done for shortage of medical staff? How are doctors being safeguarded and treated for Covid-19?”