Supreme Court Warns Against Misuse of Social Media in Pending Cases

In a significant admonition, the Supreme Court has underscored the pervasive misuse of social media platforms to distort facts and influence ongoing court proceedings. The bench, comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi, expressed grave concern over the propagation of misleading comments and posts about pending cases, cautioning against any attempts to undermine judicial authority or interfere with the course of justice.

The Court's observation arose in response to a contempt case filed by Aminul Haque Laskar against All India United Democratic (AIUDF) leader Karim Uddin Barbhuiya, who prematurely claimed victory in a pending case via a Facebook post. Although the Supreme Court had merely reserved its judgment at the time, Barbhuiya asserted a favorable outcome, prompting Laskar's contempt plea.

The bench emphasized that while judges may express opinions during proceedings, parties, and their representatives are prohibited from distorting facts or prematurely proclaiming outcomes on social media platforms. Such conduct not only prejudices the administration of justice but also undermines the sanctity of legal proceedings, the Court remarked.

By issuing notice in Laskar's contempt plea and directing a copy of the order to the Attorney General of India, the Supreme Court underscored its commitment to upholding the integrity of judicial processes and deterring attempts to subvert the legal system.

The underlying dispute between Barbhuiya and Laskar stems from the former's election as an Assam MLA, challenged by Laskar based on alleged discrepancies in Barbhuiya's educational qualifications. Despite the Gauhati High Court's rejection of Barbhuiya's plea to dismiss Laskar's election petition, the Supreme Court eventually ruled in Barbhuiya's favor, finding the allegations against him unsubstantiated.

However, the Court's attention was drawn to Barbhuiya's premature Facebook post claiming victory before the judgment was pronounced, prompting Laskar's contempt plea. Senior Advocates representing both parties, along with their respective legal teams, appeared before the Court to present their arguments.

The Supreme Court's stern admonition against the misuse of social media underscores the judiciary's vigilance in safeguarding the integrity and fairness of legal proceedings. As social media continues to wield significant influence, the Court's stance serves as a resolute reaffirmation of the principles of justice, impartiality, and respect for due process.

Author: Anushka Taraniya 

News Writer, MIT ADT University