Hearing a plea on the shutdown of the Internet in Jammu and Kashmir the Supreme Court condemned the act of the Centre and said Internet access is a fundamental right and directed the concerned officials to revive the internet services within a week.
A five-judge constitutional bench led by Justice NV Ramana directed the administration of Jammu and Kashmir to restore the Internet-based banking and trade services.
Talking about this the apex court said, "It is no doubt that freedom of speech is an essential tool in a democratic setup. Freedom of Internet access is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of free speech".
In a much relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the supreme court ordered the administration to allow "government websites, localised/limited e-banking facilities, hospitals services and other essential services, in those regions, wherein the internet services are not likely to be restored immediately".
On November 21, the Central government has imposed a ban on internet services in Jammu and Kashmir post Article 370 and termed these actions as a preventive step.
A five-judge constitutional bench led by Justice NV Ramana directed the administration of Jammu and Kashmir to restore the Internet-based banking and trade services.
Talking about this the apex court said, "It is no doubt that freedom of speech is an essential tool in a democratic setup. Freedom of Internet access is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of free speech".
In a much relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the supreme court ordered the administration to allow "government websites, localised/limited e-banking facilities, hospitals services and other essential services, in those regions, wherein the internet services are not likely to be restored immediately".
On November 21, the Central government has imposed a ban on internet services in Jammu and Kashmir post Article 370 and termed these actions as a preventive step.