Kochi, May 13, 2020: The Kerala High Court has stated that a law is needed to control the use of abusive and derogatory comments on social media.
The court made the observation on May 12 while considering the bail plea of Sreeja Prasad, who was arrested for posting abusive comments online.
The court has instructed the registrar to send a copy of the verdict to Kerala’s Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. The High Court observed that a parallel society, which does not adhere to the law of the land, is emerging online.
Justice P. V. Kunjikrishnan pointed out that unhealthy arguments on social media are on the rise. If someone posts an abusive comment, the response to the comment will be even worse. The law of the land is failing in such situations. A parallel society that does not adhere to the laws is emerging, he noted.
According to a Supreme Court’s ruling, Sreekumar’s case does not amount to a crime under section 67 of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act. The government will have to interfere in such cases. A law needs to be enacted to control those engaged in such online fights.
The court also said that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that law and order prevails in the state.
Source: english.mathrubhumi.com