3 weeks ago
Supreme Court probes social media misuse of judges' oral remarks
Judges in India make comments while hearing cases in court.
Some people record small pieces of those comments, take them out of context, and turn them into funny memes and jokes online.
A lawyer named Raja Chowdhary says this is being done to make money and to make people lose trust in the courts.
He asked the Supreme Court to look into this problem.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case and asked the CBI, the Bar Council and the technology ministry to give their answers.
The court also wants to know about people who pretend to be real lawyers.
The judge who leads the court is called the Chief Justice, and his name is Surya Kant.
The people making the jokes are linked to a satirical group called the Cockroach Janta Party.
The court said free speech is allowed, but it should not be used to make the judiciary look bad.
The next court hearing will happen on September 10.
The Supreme Court sought responses from the CBI, Bar Council and the electronics and information technology ministry on a petition alleging commercial exploitation of judges' oral observations on social media.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana issued notice on the petition filed by advocate Raja Chowdhary.
The petition alleges people identifying with the Cockroach Janta Party selectively clip judges' oral remarks and twist them into memes and satire to undermine the judiciary.
The petitioner also sought an investigation into the entry of a large number of fake lawyers in the field, which he says has led to criminalisation of the legal profession.
The matter was listed for further hearing on September 10, by which time the respondents are expected to file their responses.
- Who
- A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana; petitioner advocate Raja Chowdhary; respondents including the CBI, Bar Council and the electronics and information technology ministry.
- What
- The court issued notice on a petition seeking a probe into alleged commercial exploitation and twisting of judges' oral observations as memes and satire on social media, and into the entry of fake lawyers.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India.
- When
- The notice was issued on Tuesday, with the next hearing listed for September 10.
- Why
- The petitioner alleges selective clipping of judges' oral remarks on social media, particularly by people identifying with the Cockroach Janta Party, undermines public confidence in the judiciary and justice.
Supporters of social media satire and free expression
Supporters of the petition defending judicial image
Free speech vs judicial integrity
Supporters of social media satire and free expression
The Cockroach Janta Party and similar activists view their memes and satire as democratic dissent and legitimate free expression, formed as a satirical response to judges' own oral observations.
Supporters of the petition defending judicial image
The petitioner argues that while free speech and dissent are fundamental rights, they cannot be stretched to undermine the image of the judiciary through selective uploading and ridiculing of judges.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V. Mohana
- Petitioner
- Advocate Raja Chowdhary (appeared in person)
- Respondents
- CBI, Bar Council, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Core allegation
- Commercial exploitation of judges' oral observations and twisting them into memes and satire on social media
- Group named
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Abhijeet Dipke as a satirical response to CJI Kant's remarks
- Next hearing
- September 10
- Additional issue
- Investigation into entry of fake lawyers leading to criminalisation of the legal profession
Quotes
Advocate Raja Chowdhary
Petitioner seeking investigation into alleged misuse of court remarks
“"commercial exploitation of oral observations" made by judges during judicial proceedings”
telegraphindia.com
“"selectively uploaded...to ridicule the judiciary" in public”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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