| Shreya Singhal v. Union of India | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Court | Supreme Court of India |
| Full case name | Shreya Singhal and Ors. v. Union of India |
| Decided | 24 March 2015 |
| Citation | AIR 2015 SC 1523; Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 167 OF 2012 |
| Court membership | |
| Judges sitting | R.F. Nariman, J. Chelameshwar |
| Case opinions | |
| Decision by | R.F. Nariman |
Shreya Singhal v. Union of India[1] is a judgement by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India in 2015, on the issue of online speech and intermediary liability in India. The Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, relating to restrictions on online speech, as unconstitutional on grounds of violating the freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. The Court further held that the Section was not saved by virtue of being a 'reasonable restriction' on the freedom of speech under Article 19(2). The Supreme Court also read down Section 79 and Rules under the Section. It held that online intermediaries would only be obligated to take down content on receiving an order from a court or government authority. The case is considered a watershed moment for online free speech in India.[2]
- ^ "Shreya Singhal v. Union of India". indiankanoon.org/. Retrieved 3 July 2022., AIR 2015 SC 1523, Supreme Court of India.
- ^ "Gautam Bhatia, The Striking Down of Section 66A". 26 March 2015.