The Delhi High Court has directed Sudarshan News to take down its news report alleging forceful religious conversion by a Muslim man. The court also directed YouTube, Google and Twitter to block links of the said news report.
The court took serious exception to the video and the word ‘jihadi’ being used in it, reported Bar and Bench. The court also took note of the dangerous comments that came under the video after being posted and observed that the threat to Khan is evident from these comments and therefore the video should be immediately blocked for public viewing.
The bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh was hearing a plea moved by one Azmat Ali Khan seeking removal of news items pertaining to an FIR lodged against him on April 19 at the instance of a woman from Delhi. He submitted that his case is under investigation and circulation of the videos is posing threat to the independent probe as well as his safety and security. The case against him is that he was in a 7-year long relationship with a woman and she had now accused him of trying to forcefully convert her to Islam.
Google submitted that the originators of the videos need to be heard. Another respondent, the Press Council of India said that it will look into Khan’s email containing the links. However, the PCI also informed the court that it can only look at matters which are published and not the ones uploaded on the websites.
Since Sudarshan News is not a member of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (which handles complaints against news channels) said that it cannot act upon the channel
The court has issued notices to Youtube, Google, Twitter, Sudarshan TV, Orissa TV, Bharat Prakashan and Suresh Chavhanke. Further notice has been issued to Delhi Police as well to place on record the status of the investigation in the case against Khan.
“Considering that there is severe threat as is evident from the comments placed before the court, it is directed that the links set out in the petition shall be immediately blocked for public viewing,” the court said, with respect to all respondents.
She told all the respondents, especially the social media platforms that if Sudarshan news does not remove the video, the platforms will have to block it.
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