OPEN CHALLNEGE

1. Whether the Information Technology (Intermediaries guidelines and digital

media ethics code) Rules 2022, are constitutionally valid?

2. Whether the Ministry of Information Technology has the jurisdiction to

promulgate the Rules to regulate OTT platforms?

I. The Information Technology( Intermediaries guidelines and digital media

ethics code) Rules 2022, are constitutionally valid.
1. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) clauses (z) and (zg) of sub-
section (2) of Section 87 of the Information Technology Act, 2000
(21 of 2000), and in
supersession of the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011,
except as respect things done or omitted to be done before such
supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules,
2. The Union government has defended the Rules, submitting that while
the right to freedom of speech and expression, including the freedom of
press, is critical for a vibrant democracy like India, citizens cannot be
treated as passive consumers.
3. On Rule 16, which permits blocking of information in case of an emergency, the
Court found it to be traceable to Section 69A(1) of the IT Act, which is line with
Article 19(2) of the Constitution that allows placing reasonable restrictions on the
freedom of speech. ( Bombay HC)
4.
a. https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/it-rules-2021-reply-centre-delhi-high-
court.
b. https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-it-rules-cable-tv-rules-hate-speech-
hate-crimes-199585#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20on%20Thursday,(IT
%20Rules%2C%202021).

c. X v. Union of India, 2021 SCC OnLine Del 1788

d.  SDS Infratech (P) Ltd. v. National Faceless Assessment Centre Delhi, WP (C) No.
35

6272 of 2021 filed on 10-3-2021 (Pending)

e.  Praveen Arimbrathodiyil v. Union of India, WP (C) No. 9647 of 2021, order dated
36

9-4-2021 (Ker)(Pending)(Ker); Foundation for Independent Indian

Journalism v. Union of India, WP (C) No. 3125 of 2021, order dated 28-6-2021 (Del)
(Pending)(Del).
 f. https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/delhi-high-court-information-technology-
guidelines-for-intermediaries-and-digital-media-ethics-code-rules-2021-170916.
g. https://www.statista.com/statistics/262966/number-of-internet-users-in-selected-
countries/.
h. https://www.scconline.com/Members/%20//www.livelaw.in/columns/the-
puttaswamy-test-right-to-privacy-article-21-171181.
i. https://www.scconline.com/Members/%20//www.livelaw.in/columns/the-
puttaswamy-test-right-to-privacy-article-21-171181.
j. https://www.scconline.com/Members/%20//www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/the-
new-avatar-of-the-encryption-wars-101612444931535.html.
k. https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/delhi-high-court-information-technology-
guidelines-for-intermediaries-and-digital-media-ethics-code-rules-2021-170916.
l.

II. The Ministry of Information Technology has the jurisdiction to promulgate

the Rules to regulate OTT platforms.

Sanjay Kumar Singh v. Union of India ( Imp case)

https://theprint.in/india/governance/govts-ott-move-aims-to-clearly-define-jurisdiction-over-
content-platforms-ib-secy/567828/.
ttps://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/may/10/supreme-court-stays-highcourt-
proceedings-challenging-it-rules-2451810.html.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/it-rules-framed-to-regulate-unlawful-content-on-
digital-media-ott-platforms-centre-tells-hc/article36280431.ece.
Praveen Arimbrathodiyil Petitioner Vs. Union of India & Anothe