On Plea Challenging new IT rules, Madras High Court Says No Action Now

The Madras High Court has refused to pass any interim order restraining the operation of rules 12, 14 and 16 saying no action has been initiated against petitioners as of now.

No action will be taken for now regarding portions of the new IT rules, the Madras High Court said today  in response to a petition challenging it by the Digital News Publishers Association. The court, however, said the petitioner can approach it in case the government takes action against them under the new rules. The petition had challenged the new rules, contending that they would be used to take coercive action against media houses. No action has been initiated against petitioners as of now under rules 12, 14 and 16 of the new IT Act, the court said, refusing to pass any interim order. The new rules mandate compliance with "code of ethics and procedure and safeguards in relation to digital media".