The Supreme Court has directed the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir to ensure transparency by making review committee orders pertaining to internet shutdowns in the region publicly available. The directive came during a hearing presided over by a Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol, in response to a miscellaneous application filed within a petition challenging the recurring internet shutdowns nationwide.

The application specifically sought the publication of review committee orders issued by the J&K administration, aligning with the apex court's landmark 2020 judgment in the case of Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India. During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj, representing the UT, pledged to seek instructions on the matter but contended against the necessity of making deliberations public.

Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the petitioner alongside Advocate Natasha Maheshwari, underscored the failure of the J&K administration to comply with the directives laid down in the Anuradha Bhasin judgment. Responding to the arguments, the Bench took a prima facie stance that the orders themselves, rather than the deliberations, should be made accessible to the public.

Consequently, the Bench adjourned the matter for two weeks to allow for further deliberation.

Case: Foundation for Media Professionals v. Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Anr.