SC asks Centre to treat PIL for supervisory mechanism against digital harms as representation

The Supreme Court of India has asked the central government to consider a representation seeking remedial measures to address serious forms of cybercrime, including threats of physical violence and the disclosure of private information. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant heard a petition filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami, who appeared in person.

Goswami posed a hypothetical situation to emphasize the urgency of the issue, questioning whether a woman's home address and a rape threat posted online should remain accessible. The Chief Justice acknowledged the petitioner's comprehensive overview of cybercrime modes and preventive measures. The petitioner informed the court that the issues had been previously raised to the relevant authorities through a representation.

The bench acknowledged the representation, which was submitted to the ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, Home Affairs, and Law and Justice. The court stated that the petition seeks directions for an effective supervisory mechanism to tackle grave unlawful digital harms, such as acts or threats of physical violence, disclosure of private particulars, including children's school locations, non-consensual intimate content, and harmful digital impersonation.

These cybercrimes significantly violate fundamental rights, including equality, freedom of speech, privacy, dignity, and life. The petitioner compared the situation with international regulatory frameworks and measures taken by other jurisdictions. The bench noted that the petitioner had already raised these issues in a representation dated June 22 to the concerned ministries.

At this point, the court directed the three ministries and all other stakeholders to examine the raised issues and take necessary remedial measures.