Delhi High Court refuses to stay new IT rules

New delhi date. 28

The Delhi High Court has refused to stay the central government's May 8 order directing digital news portals to comply with new IT rules. The High Court said it did not agree to grant this interim relief to the petitioners.

A vacation bench headed by Justice C Harishankar and Justice Subramaniam Prasad said the current notice was to comply with the rules and the petitioners had not been able to stay the rules from the roster bench.

"We do not agree with you," the bench said. We will be able to pass an extended order if you wish and we will resubmit this to the roster bench if you wish.

The petitioners, including the Foundation for Independent Journalism, had filed a petition against the May 7 order of the Central Government. Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners requested the court to hold a hearing on the petition at the end of the vacation.

A further hearing in the case is set for July 7. According to the Information Technology (Intermediate Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, social media and streaming companies have to comply with the rules, including the appointment of a grievance redressal officer.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had sent a notice to the Center seeking a reply on the petition filed by the petitioners.

The petitioners challenged the constitutional validity of the new IT rules under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.