The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure with senior journalist P Vijay Babu for filing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the cases registered against social media activists associated with the YSR Congress Party for posting abusive content.
The court observed that the PIL was politically motivated and dismissed it, imposing a fine of â¹50,000 on Vijay Babu.
It directed that the amount be deposited with the Legal Services Authority within 30 days to benefit the welfare of visually and hearing-impaired individuals.
Vijay Babu, who previously held positions such as Right to Information Commissioner and AP Official Languages Commission during Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure, alleged in his petition that false cases were being filed against individuals posting content on social media.
However, the court criticized Vijay Babu's PIL, stating that such petitions are intended to address issues of genuine public concern, not to serve political motives or defend individuals misusing social media.
The court questioned the necessity of filing a PIL on behalf of individuals posting on social media, noting that these individuals often have access to high-end gadgets and resources.
It emphasized that PILs should prioritize the needs of marginalized and voiceless sections of society, rather than those exploiting platforms like social media for defamatory purposes.
The court highlighted the state government’s legitimate efforts to curb the spread of misinformation and abusive content on social media.
It affirmed that such platforms cannot be misused for derogatory remarks or personal attacks, particularly against individuals or their families, as these actions are both unethical and legally punishable.
Reiterating the limits of free speech, the court warned that social media misuse under its pretense would not be tolerated.
It upheld the government’s authority to act against violations, underscoring the importance of maintaining ethical standards and legal accountability on digital platforms.