Supreme Court Expresses Concern Over Misuse of Social Media in Subjudice Matters

The Supreme Court has raised alarm over the rampant misuse of social media platforms for commenting on subjudice matters, highlighting the potential threat it poses to the administration of justice. A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela Trivedi, while initiating contempt proceedings against Assam MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya, emphasized the need to address this growing issue.

The court expressed its concern as it observed the proliferation of messages, comments, and articles on social media platforms related to pending court cases. Such activity, the bench noted, has the potential to undermine the authority of the judiciary and interfere with the course of justice.

While acknowledging the importance of freedom of speech and expression, the Supreme Court underscored the need for responsible conduct, particularly when it comes to matters pending before the courts. The bench emphasized that the right to freedom of speech does not extend to distorting facts or spreading misinformation about ongoing legal proceedings.

The court’s action against Barbhuiya stemmed from a misleading Facebook post he made regarding a case reserved for judgment. Despite the court only reserving its judgment on the matter, Barbhuiya falsely claimed a favorable ruling in an election petition. Subsequently, the Supreme Court initiated contempt proceedings against him for this act.

In response to Barbhuiya’s plea, the court quashed the election petition filed against him on April 8. However, the matter of his misleading Facebook post remains unresolved, and the court has directed his presence for further proceedings.

The Supreme Court’s decision to address the misuse of social media in legal matters underscores the need for greater accountability and responsibility in online discourse, especially concerning sensitive legal issues. The court’s vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process sends a clear message about the consequences of such misconduct in the digital age.

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