Bombay High Court Seeks Center's Reply Why New IT Rules Shouldn't Be Put On Hold

New IT Rules: The Bombay High Court pointed out that similar petitions opposing the new rules have been filed in high courts across the country, but the Union government was yet to file its replies.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Union government to file a reply as to why an interim stay should not be given to the implementation of the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, as demanded by two petitions. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni sought the government's reply by August 12. The petitions filed by digital news portal 'The Leaflet' and journalist Nikhil Wagle claimed that the new regulations are "vague", "draconian", and bound to have a "chilling effect" on the freedom of press and right to free speech guaranteed by the Constitution. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, the Union government's lawyer, urged the court not to grant a stay without a final hearing.