Internet shutdown in J&K 'unconstitutional', SC told

Notifications and orders shutting down mobile, landline and internet services in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 were "illegal and unconstitutional", the Supreme Court was told Tuesday.

A bench headed by Justice N V Ramana was told that even after 90 days, communication services -- data, internet, pre-paid mobiles and SMS -- were not operational in the Kashmir Valley, affecting the working of the media.

Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Executive Editor of Kashmir Times Anuradha Bhasin who has challenged the restrictions imposed in the Valley, said the state has the power to put reasonable restrictions on the rights conferred under Article 19 (protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech) but it cannot extinguish the right itself.

"There is absolute communications shutdown from August 4. It requires to be tested by this court. Yes, there can be reasonable restrictions on rights under Article 19 but the same cannot extinguish the right itself," she told the bench, also comprising Justices R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai.

Grover argued that orders issued by the authorities were with regard to reduction of speed of 3G and 4G data but the internet service was totally shut down.

"This order is illegal and unconstitutional," she said while referring to one of the orders issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Kashmir zone.

"There is complete non-application of mind while issuing these orders. These are bald orders," she said.

She argued that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has said in its affidavit that for national security and to prevent loss of life, certain measures were taken.

Grover said authorities have claimed that internet services could be misused by "anti-national elements" but their own data shows that incident of terrorist violence has gone down.

"Is there any proximate nexus between internet and terrorist violence?," she said, adding that, "90 days are over now. The word 'temporary' will lose its meaning if the restrictions still continue".

Referring to the provisions of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 and Indian Telegraph Act, she said that restrictions could be imposed only for a temporary period and it cannot be enforced for a longer time.

She said the media has got protection under the Constitution and freedom of press can be curbed only through a reasoned and specific order.

"So, according to you, general order of prohibition does not apply in your case unless special orders with reasons are passed?," the bench asked.

Responding to the query, the lawyer while referring to the rules said, "Yes. There has to be order with specific reasons with regard to press".

Grover also said that if the authorities had apprehension about misuse of internet services, then why the landline phone services were shut down.

"But wi-fi uses landline. At our residence, we use landline for wi-fi," the bench asked

To this, the counsel said landline phones do not require data services at all.

"Even today, people in Kashmir cannot use data on their mobile phones," she said during the arguments which would continue on Wednesday.

The top court had on October 24 asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration as to how long they intend to continue the restrictions, including internet blockade, imposed in the valley.

It had said authorities may impose restrictions for national interest but they have to be reviewed from time to time.

Bhasin had earlier told the bench that the Centre and J&K administration had suppressed from the top court the orders and notifications on the basis of which physical and communication restrictions were imposed in the valley.

However, the J&K administration had said those orders and notifications would be placed before the top court but those cannot be shared with the petitioners.