Supreme Court Closes Twitter India's Plea Against Multiple FIRs For Allegedly Promoting Tweet On Khalistan

The Supreme Court on Monday(December 9) disposed of a petition by the India arm of the microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), that sought clubbing of multiple FIRs lodged against it in several states for allegedly promoting a tweet on “Khalistan”.

A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma closed the plea in view of passage of time and absence of representation for several states, after counsel appearing for some of the states set out the current status of the FIRs and complaints.

“Though learned counsel appearing for some states have represented and given current factual scenario, there is no representation for Haryana, Karnataka and Odisha. We are not inclined to keep this matter after five years. Suffice it to say that much water has flown under the bridge. We are inclined to close this petition”, the Court observed.

The petition was filed in 2020 by Twitter India to challenge FIRs registered in eight states after an alleged “promotion” by Twitter of a tweet by one Gurpatwant Singh Pannum on “Khalistan”. The petition argued that Twitter India had no control over the content on the website. Further, it was contended that there cannot be multiple FIRs for a single incident and sought quashing or clubbing of FIRs so that trial proceeds in a single court.

The Court had issued notice to the Centre and concerned states then. Thereafter, the Court directed the states to file affidavits setting out the status of the concerned FIRs.

On Monday, the Court was informed that there were two FIRs in Assam and final reports for both have been submitted to trial court, and in one more complaint no FIR has been registered. The FIR registered in Arunachal Pradesh was transferred to Assam.

Counsel appearing for Andhra Pradesh submitted that there was a complaint but no FIR was registered in the State as no offence was made out. In New Delhi the FIR was disposed of as no cognisable offence was found. In Maharashtra complaints were filed but no FIR was registered.

For Odisha, Karnataka and Haryana, no one appeared in Court to represent the current status. In light of this, the Supreme Court disposed of the long-pending plea by Twitter India.

Case no. – W.P.(Crl.) No. 000337 - / 2020

Case Title – Twitter Communications India Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India