SC seeks Centre's reply on PIL against obscene content

TUSHAR GANDHI SAID THE CENTRE WAS NOT GOING TO TREAT THE PIL AS ADVERSARIAL AND ECHOED CONCERNS OVER EXPOSURE OF CHILDREN TO OBSCENE IMAGERY

- Ayesha Arvind

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday sought the central government's response on a petition seeking regulation or prohibition of obscene content on social media and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms.

A bench of justices BR Gavai and AG Masih also issued notices to major OTT and social media platforms.

The court, however, cautioned that it might have limited scope for interference and that the government must step in to regulate such content.

"This is either for the legislature or executive. As it is, we are being accused by some of interfering with legislative and executive functions," the bench said, referring to the recent criticism of the judiciary by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.