Kerala HC Grants A Week's Time To Meta To Permit Access To Former Judge For Removing Offensive Post Against Asianet News Editor

In the present matter, the judge had posted a Metapost on July 4, 2023 against the petitioner, where the contents of the post qualified as an offence under crimes against women and children, and indecent representation of women specifically.

The petitioner, pursuant to an FIR, thus requested through a letter to remove the offending post ought to have been considered as it infringes the rights of the petitioner.

The Court on finding merit in the writ petition, accordingly, through an interim order granted the prayer.

Pursuant to which, the judge was directed to delete the post from any and all social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other online social network services.

A bench comprising Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. in the order thus noted the Judge’s submissions that he is not in a position to remove the post as he has no access to the post, in view of the above developments. “Learned counsel for the 4th (Meta) respondent submits that he may be granted a week’s time to permit access to the 5th respondent (Judge) to enable him to remove the offending post”, the bench noted in the order.

Therefore, considering that the bench granted a week’s time to the Meta to permit access to the Judge, so as to enable him to remove the post.

Meta was further directed to intimate the Judge’s counsel, who in turn will intimate the respondent to remove the post in question, once access is given by Meta. It was further clarified that the said act of removal of the post by the Judge, on the directions of this Court, shall not in any manner prejudice any of his contentions in the criminal prosecution.

The bench, accordingly, listed the matter for further hearing on January 5, 2023.

Cause Title: Sindhu Suryakumar v. State Of Kerala