'Our Shoulders Are Broad Enough...': SC Says Profuse Misuse Of Social Media In Commenting On Pending Cases

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed serious concern over the misuse of social media platforms for posting messages, comments, and articles regarding pending court matters.

“It is a matter of serious concern that nowadays there has been a profuse misuse of social media platforms on which messages, comments, articles etc. are being posted in respect of matters pending in Court. Though our shoulders are broad enough to bear any blame or criticism, the comments or posts published in respect of matters pending in Court, through social media platforms under guise of right to freedom of speech and expression, which have the tendency of undermining the authority of the Courts or of interfering with the course of justice, deserves serious consideration,” the bench stated.

A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose (now retired) and Bela Trivedi made this observation while initiating contempt proceedings against Assam MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya for his misleading Facebook post concerning a case that was pending judgment.

The top court emphasised that it’s common for judges to react during lawyers’ arguments, either favourably or unfavourably towards a party. “However, that does not give any right or leeway to either of the parties or their lawyers to the proceedings to post comments or messages on social media distorting the facts or not disclosing correct facts of the proceedings,” the court added.

“The matter is required to be taken up more seriously when any such attempt is sought to be made by the party to the proceedings,” stated the bench as it issued a contempt notice to the MLA and ordered the MLA from All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) to appear in court.

The Supreme Court initiated contempt proceedings against Barbhuiya due to his Facebook post on March 20, falsely asserting a favourable court ruling in an election petition. However, on that day, the court had only reserved its judgment in the matter. Subsequently, on April 8, the apex court granted Barbhuiya’s plea and dismissed the election petition filed against him.

(With inputs from PTI)