Centre Directs States to Comply with SC Guidelines on Internet Shutdowns

The Centre informed the Supreme Court (SC) that state chief secretaries were directed to follow the SC’s ruling in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, which mandates internet shutdowns meet tests of necessity and proportionality.

The petition alleged states shut down internet services to prevent cheating in exams, impacting economic activities.

Petitioners argued other methods could prevent cheating and cited the Anuradha Bhasin judgment outlining constitutional limits on internet restrictions. The Centre emphasized compliance with the judgment and filed its counter affidavit.

The SC scheduled the next hearing for January 29, 2025, allowing parties to file additional documents and affidavits.