Delhi high court has issued a notice on the petition filed by quint digital media Limited who owns the news portal “the quint” challenging the constitutional validity of the IT (Guidelines for intermediaries and digital media ethics code)Rules,2021 stating that it regulates the publisher of news and current affairs content.
Division bench comprises justice DN Patel and justice jasmeet Singh issue notice on the petition.the bench has also sought reply of the union government on the plea by next date of hearing as April 16.
Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan had sought for interim protection for petitioner. And in which the bench had clearly stated that it will not grant interim protection as of now. If any coercive steps are taken then the petitioners can opt for seeking an urgent hearing.
The advocates for the petitioner advocate Prasanna S and vinoothna vinjam content that the new rules are ultra vires the constitution of India as well as the Indian technology Act. As they impose unreasonable and arbitrary restrictions on digital news media.
It is to be noted here that it is highlighted that the parent statute of the rules, the IT Act, does not deal with digital media and hence the executive rules made under the said act to regulate online news publishers are invalid.
Lawcutor 