Maharashtra Proposes New Law Targeting Defamatory Social Media Posts
· India · Indian Express, The Hindu, AFP Fact Check
A Maharashtra government committee has recommended a state amendment to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to specifically criminalise defamatory social media content. The proposal, currently with the Law and Judiciary Department, aims to address online defamation following the Supreme Court's 2015 decision to strike down Section 66A of the IT Act. The committee opted for a BNS amendment because it sits on the Concurrent List, requiring approval from the Centre and the President. The state government previously considered amending the Maharashtra Police Act or the central IT Act but dismissed those options.
Why it matters
If enacted, this law would reintroduce criminal penalties for online speech, potentially creating new legal precedents for handling social media defamation in India.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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