Delhi riots: SC directs Delhi Assembly not to take any action against Facebook till Oct 15

Sep 23,2020: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi Legislative Assembly not to take any coercive action against Facebook India vice-president till October 15 for not replying on a summon issued by a panel on north-east Delhi riots.
Delhi Assembly’s “Peace and Harmony” has issued the summon to Facebook India’s VP, MD Ajit Mohan to appear before them. The panel, headed by Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Raghav Chadha, wanted to discuss the occurrence of the riots, particularly after a report published in Wall Street Journal alleged that the social media giant did not filter ‘hate speeches’ of the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders.
Later, Facebook India moved a petition claiming that the issue comes within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union.
During the hearing, Harish Salve appearing for Facebook told the Court it is a violation of Article 19 which includes “right to not to speak”. Also, the police and law and order are governed by the Union Home Ministry in the National Capital not by the Delhi government, he submitted.
Salve said his client is only liable to appear before the Union.
Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, for the Delhi legislative panel, told the Court that the summon was not intended to serve them as accused but as witness.
“We did not say that Facebook misused its reach, but was misused in the context of Delhi riots,” Dr Singhvi submitted.
The Apex Court bench, led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, issued notice to Delhi Assembly Secretary and asked to file a counter affidavit.The court fixed the matter for October 15.