Archive · 18 Jul 2025
Govt. Questions X's Right to Speech in Court; Raises Fake Account Issue
The government's lawyer, Solicitor General Mehta, questioned whether X, the social media company, can use the right to freedom of speech in court.
He pointed out concerns around fake accounts and how easy it is to create them, illustrating with a fake account.
X is in court because it thinks the government is using a law incorrectly to take down content.
The discussion included questions about online anonymity and a government portal called Sahyog.
Solicitor General questioned X Corp's right to use freedom of speech in court.
The case concerns takedown orders and the interpretation of IT Act sections.
Mehta raised concerns about online anonymity and cited a fake account example.
X Corp disputes the Centre's usage of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.
The Sahyog Portal and its impact on intermediaries were discussed.
- Who
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and X Corp.
- What
- Solicitor General questioned X Corp's right to appeal to freedom of speech in court and raised concerns regarding IT Act.
- When
- Friday.
- Where
- Karnataka High Court.
- Why
- To clarify the application of free speech rights and IT law to social media intermediaries.
Centre's Stance
X Corp's Stance
Locus Standi
Centre's Stance
X Corp has no locus standi to file the petition on freedom of speech.
X Corp's Stance
X Corp is contesting takedown orders under the freedom of speech right.
Online Anonymity
Centre's Stance
Concern about online anonymity, citing a fake account as an example.
X Corp's Stance
X is defending the free speech rights of its users.
Sahyog Portal
Centre's Stance
The Sahyog Portal is an administrative mechanism to ensure intermediaries are aware of official notices.
X Corp's Stance
X refers to the Sahyog Portal as a censorship portal.
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Parties
- Centre vs. X Corp
- Legal Focus
- Freedom of Speech and IT Act
- Legislation
- IT Act, Sections 69A, 79(3)(b)
- Key Issues
- Locus Standi, Online Anonymity, Sahyog Portal
Sources
Legal battle with X: Centre shows fake ‘Supreme Court of Karnataka’ account in HC
Centre flags fake ‘Supreme Court of Karnataka’ account in HC - Telegraph India
Fake X account created in name of 'Supreme Court of Karnataka'!
Reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech are ‘elastic’, must evolve: Centre tells Karnataka HC