Karnataka High Court Closes PIL For Banning Websites, Apps Showing Nudity & Pornography In View Of Pending Pleas Before Supreme Court

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (November 4) disposed of a public interest litigation seeking directions to the Central Government to ban certain websites and applications (Apps) allegedly displaying nudity and pornography.

A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha disposed of the petition filed by the Legal Attorneys and Barristers Law Firm, after it was informed by Deputy Solicitor General Shanthi Bhushan H that the same issue is pending consideration before the Supreme Court.

For context, there are several petitions on the issue pending before the Supreme Court.

One of them seeks to ban access to pornography for individuals below the age of 18 years and watching porn. Another PIL filed by Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association seeks pan-India guidelines for safety of women, regulation of social behaviour in public transport, ban on free online pornographic material and castration of persons convicted for sex offences.

While hearing YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia's plea against FIRs registered in the wake of controversy over "India's Got Latent" show, the Supreme Court in February expressed its intention to do something to regulate obscene content on YouTube and other social media. The apex court is also considering a plea seeking regulation of obscene content on OTT platforms and social media. 

The matter relating to banning access to pornography for individuals below the age of 18 years and watching porn was briefly heard by the Supreme Court on Monday. During the hearing it was orally observed that the matter fell under the government's policy domain.

The high court on hearing the submission of the Union of India in its order noted, “In view of the above no orders are required to be passed. We do not consider it appropriate to consider the present PIL at this state and the same is accordingly disposed of.”

Case Title: THE LEGAL ATTORNEYS AND BARRISTERS LAW FIRM AND Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 3155/2024

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 372

Appearance: Advocate HUSSAIN MUEEN FAROOQ for Petitioner.

DSGI SHANTHI BHUSHAN H for R1.

AGA Niloufer Akbar for R2.