File Photo: Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, today, sought explanation from the Uttar Pradesh Police on the circumstances leading to the arrest of a boy for allegedly posting objectionable comments against senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Facebook.
A bench comprising justices J Chelameswar and RF Nariman asked the UP police to file a response to the petition alleging that the Supreme Court advisory- that section 66A of the Information Technology Act would not be invoked without consultation of high ranking police officers like Inspector General (IG) or Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)- was violated.
"We will examine," the bench said and posted the matter after four weeks.
Senior advocate Soli Sorabjee, appearing for petitioner in the matter, drew the attention of the bench to the apex court's May 16, 2013, advisory which made it clear that no case would be lodged under the controversial provision of the law unless and until there is an approval from high ranking officers like IG or DCP.
The counsel appearing for UP government said that nothing has been left in the matter as the boy has been released on bail and there are remedies available to him under the law.
The Supreme Court had, yesterday, agreed to hear the plea seeking explanation from the UP Police on the matter in which a school student was arrested for allegedly posting on Facebook 'objectionable' comments against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan.
By the time advocate Manali Singhal made an oral mention of the application, news had reached that the youth was granted bail and would walk out of the jail shortly on completion of formalities.