Patna High Court inquires, Instagram, FB, Twitter, Youtube, Whatsapp to cooperate on social media posts hostile to judges

Patna High Court inquires, Instagram, FB, Twitter, Youtube, Whatsapp to cooperate on social media posts hostile to judges

In a court order dated Friday, the Patna High Court directed Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, What's App, Meta and Messenger to collaborate in an investigation made by the Bihar Police Economic Offence Unit into posts made on social media hostile to judges and other high officials.

According to the information available, on Wednesday, Justice Sandeep Kumar had directed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against an Advocate, who was alleged to have abused Judges of the Supreme Court. It includes the former Chief Justice of India, the Patna High Court Judges and the Union Law Minister and other dignitaries.

The Court also criticized social media platforms for failing to report abuse posted against judges and other dignitaries to the police.

Most prominently, the Additional Director General of the Economic Offences Unit (EOU), Government of Bihar, Patna, told the High Court on Wednesday that they had already issued an order for taking action against those making objectionable comments using foul language towards any government official, whether a minister, member of the of Parliament, member of the Legislative Assembly or member of the executive.

Read about the Wednesday order here: FIR to be registered against Patna HC advocate for abuse of judges: Judiciary cannot be threatened by misdirected individuals.

The EOU's investigation has been reported to the Court through an affidavit it filed to inform the Court of its status on Friday. According to the company, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Whatsapp, Meta, and Messenger have received notices via U.S. offices.

Additionally, the European Union has been asked to investigate the hacking of the amicus curiae's Facebook account and take action according to the law. The Court has scheduled a hearing for December 24, 2021.