The Supreme Court on Thursday granted one week time to the Centre and administration in Jammu Kashmir to give their reply in the plea seeking contempt alleging non-compliance of the May 11 judgment of the Supreme Court, which had directed that a ‘Special Committee’ be constituted to determine the necessity of continued restriction of mobile internet speeds in Jammu Kashmir to 2G only.
A bench of Justices NV Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai refused to issue notice in the petition led by Foundation for Media Professionals alleging contempt for the inaction of The Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and The Chief Secretary, Jammu Kashmir. When the matter was called out, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought for an adjournment stating that a Committee had already been formed.
Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi appeared for the petitioner and stated that the Respondents were in “blatant defiance” of the Top Court’s order for non-compliance and that even though, the petitioners made several representations after the Order of Supreme Court, they did not get any response. He pressed for issuance of notice in the case on account of primafacie contempt.
He argued that a decision was in fact taken by the Special Committee and there was no question of contempt. He went on to state that the same has already been placed before the bench in a sealed cover.
On May 11, the Supreme Court had ordered, “we are of the view that since the issues involved affect the State, and the nation, the Review Committee which consists of only State level, may not be in a position to satisfactorily address all the issues raised. We, therefore, find it appropriate to constitute a Special Committee comprising of the following Secretaries at national, as well as State, level to look into the prevailing circumstances and immediately determine the necessity of the continuation of the restrictions in Jammu Kashmir”, the SC had observed.
The Internet and telecommunication had been shut after the abrogation of article 370 on 5 August, last year. 2G Internet in this digital age was restored in January and since then Jammu Kashmir is demanding the restoration of 4G Internet.