Supreme Court Upholds Substantial Progress in Curbing Objectionable Videos of Sexual Violence
New Delhi, August 1, 2023: In a landmark ruling today, the Supreme Court of India, comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.R. Gavai and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vikram Nath, upheld the substantial progress made in preventing the circulation of objectionable videos related to child pornography, gang-rape, rape, and other forms of sexual violence on various digital platforms. The court concluded Suo Moto Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 3 of 2015, addressing the issue of online content showcasing heinous crimes.
The Suo Moto Writ Petition was initiated in response to the Prajwala letter dated 18.2.2015, which brought to light the presence of objectionable videos of sexual violence on wide-reaching platforms. Over the years, the court passed multiple orders and appointed a Committee of Experts to deliberate on possible solutions.
“The issue revolves around objectionable videos pertaining to child pornography, gang-rape, rape, etc. which are published on various wide-reaching platforms,” read the Court’s order. It further highlighted that “substantial issues have been resolved” while acknowledging the efforts of the Committee, Amicus Curiae, and representatives of intermediaries involved in the process.
The Court expressed its satisfaction with the progress made in preventing the publicity of such disturbing content and emphasized that it is not an adversarial litigation. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, played a crucial role in curbing the dissemination of these videos.
“While certain non-consensus issues remained unresolved, larger issues witnessed consensus,” stated the court. It also assured parties aggrieved by non-compliance of relevant provisions that they could approach the Union of India for resolution or seek relief from the court if required.
The judgment received widespread praise for its efforts in safeguarding digital spaces and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. Various legal experts and social activists have commended the Court’s proactive approach in addressing the urgent matter of online content showcasing sexual violence.
The Suo Moto Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 3 of 2015 marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against digital crimes and child exploitation, reaffirming India’s commitment to creating a safer online environment for all its citizens.
