SC Directs Meta Accounts of AAP Gujarat to Be Restored

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the restoration of the Facebook and Instagram accounts of the Aam Aadmi Party's Gujarat unit, subject to the removal of objectionable posts, if any.

A two-judge bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe passed the interim order on an application filed by AAP Gujarat seeking restoration of its social media accounts.

Senior advocate Shadan Farasat and advocates Siddhant Sharma and Talha Abdul Rahman appeared for AAP.

The apex court allowed the application subject to the removal of objectionable posts, if any, and posted the main matter for hearing after two weeks.

On July 14, the Supreme Court had sought the Centre's response to AAP Gujarat's plea challenging the suspension of its social media accounts and web portal.

In its plea, the party questioned the legal basis for blocking and suspending its social media accounts and sought a declaration that Section 79(3)(b) was not a source of power for authorities to direct the blocking of information.

The party also sought a declaration that all consequential directions, rules and notifications issued under the provision, insofar as they relate to the blocking of information, were void.

AAP further sought the quashing of directions allegedly issued by law enforcement authorities for blocking or suspending its social media accounts.