Supreme Court on Monday slammed social media trolls calling their actions “really atrocious”. The top court recognised that even the highest judicial forum in the country is not immune to online trolls. “If we pass an order in favour of someone… the other side trolls the judge,” Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said.
“Trolling in social media is really atrocious and everyone is affected. Judges are also trolled,” he added.
The court’s comments came while it granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aid Bibhav Kumar in the case regarding the assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar was arrested on May 18 for allegedly assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at the Chief Minister’s home.
During the hearing, the counsel for Maliwal pointed out the trolling his client had been subject to on social media, saying, “In this case, the crime did not end on May 13… since then there has been trolling and victim-shaming. I have to file a complaint… the petitioner’s friends are constantly trolling – on X, via e-mails, on other social media platforms… everywhere.”
“A large section of irresponsible people have, unfortunately, got access to these platforms. They are completely insensitive (and) are not aware of their duties. They only think about some alleged rights, and will continue to attack all institutions… they have to be ignored,” the top court said.
Appearing for Kumar, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi stressed his client could not be held responsible for the actions of others, and that he “did not own X or the other platforms”.
Kumar was granted bail by the apex court earlier in the day under the conditions that he shall not be restored as PS of Delhi Chief Minister or political office associated with the CM office. The top court also directed that Kumar shall not enter the Chief Minister’s residence till all witnesses are examined.
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