Today, the Supreme Court refuses plea challenging internet shutdowns in Ethnic Violence-Hit State, grants liberty to approach High Court

A plea challenging repeated internet shutdowns in a state marred by ethnic violence was refused by the Supreme Court today. The court granted the petitioners, two Manipur residents, the liberty to approach the high court on the matter.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra, noted that a division bench of the Manipur High Court is already handling the issue. An expert committee was formed by the high court to examine the possibility of restoring internet services in the state.

Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the petitioners, argued that the matter concerned the internet ban in Manipur. The bench acknowledged that a petition under Article 226 was pending before the high court and granted Farasat permission to withdraw the plea and intervene in the ongoing matter or file an independent petition before the high court.

The plea, filed by Chongtham Victor Singh and Mayengbam James, contended that the shutdowns were "grossly disproportionate" in their interference with the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, as well as the right to conduct trade or business using the internet, which is protected by the Constitution.