Bombay High Court strikes down unconstitutional IT Rules identifying fake content against government, supporting freedom of speech.

Bombay HC held as unconstitutional, struck down the amended Information Technology (IT) Rules which sought to identify fake and false content

The Bombay High Court has struck down Centre’s proposed fact-checking unit (FCU) while hearing a plea filed by standup comedian Kunal Kamra.

The Bombay high court on Friday quashed the amended Information Technology rules aimed at identifying through a fact checking unit 'fake and false' content against the government on social media platforms, holding it as unconstitutional.

While hearing the matter in the court, the HC bench of Justice Atul Chandurkar said the Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2023, which empowers the Centre to set up fact-check units (FCUs) for identifying fake news online, went against Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution.

The Bombay High Court struck down the 2023 IT Rules amendments, which gave the government authority to establish Fact Check Units (FCUs).

Justice AS Chandurkar, in his opinion against the amendments to the IT Rules, cited multiple constitutional violations, including overreach on free speech and equality, as well as the vagueness of the rule's scope.

MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 20: The Bombay High Court on Friday held as unconstitutional and struck down the amended Information Technology (IT) Rules which sought to

The 'tie-breaker' judge of the Bombay High Court held that the amendments to the IT Rules violate rights under Article 14 and Article 19 of the Constitution of India.