Justice M Nagaprasanna referred to the case of Nalla Balu v State of Telangana in which Telangana High Court's guidelines on handling complaints made with respect to social media posts were upheld by the Supreme Court.
"The High Court of Telangana had directed verification of locus standi at the outset, preliminary inquiry to be conducted and a higher threshold of these two to be met for media post or speech related offences.
Protection of political speech or posts thereon, defamation as a non cognizable offence, arrest guidelines, and frivolous and motivated complaints to be taken note of," the Court notedJustice Nagaprasanna directed the Director General of Police (DGP) & Inspector General of Police (IGP) to issue similar guidelines as a circular to all police stations across Karnataka.
"It is time that the DG & IG issue a circular to stations as guidelines to follow the judgement of Nalla Balu and also indicate that those who would violate the law would not be left off the hooks but brought to the books," the Bench said.
It further directed that the circular should specify that any violation of the guidelines would lead to departmental inquiry and imposition of costs by constitutional courts.
Justice M Nagaprasanna referred to the case of Nalla Balu v State of Telangana in which Telangana High Court's guidelines on handling complaints made with respect to social media posts were upheld by the Supreme Court.
"The High Court of Telangana had directed verification of locus standi at the outset, preliminary inquiry to be conducted and a higher threshold of these two to be met for media post or speech related offences. Protection of political speech or posts thereon, defamation as a non cognizable offence, arrest guidelines, and frivolous and motivated complaints to be taken note of," the Court noted
Justice Nagaprasanna directed the Director General of Police (DGP) & Inspector General of Police (IGP) to issue similar guidelines as a circular to all police stations across Karnataka.
"It is time that the DG & IG issue a circular to stations as guidelines to follow the judgement of Nalla Balu and also indicate that those who would violate the law would not be left off the hooks but brought to the books," the Bench said.
It further directed that the circular should specify that any violation of the guidelines would lead to departmental inquiry and imposition of costs by constitutional courts.
