The Incident: A Tale of Online Fines and Social Media Backlash
In a bizarre turn of events, Sagar found himself in hot water after his two-wheeler was towed by traffic police in Pune. What seemed like a routine towing quickly escalated when he was asked to pay a hefty ₹785 fine online. But the real shock came when he was also demanded to fork over an additional ₹1,000 in cash for a mysterious “corporation fine.”
Not one to back down, Sagar took to Facebook Live to share his frustration with the world. The video went viral, drawing attention to his plight but also attracting a slew of distasteful comments targeting a lady constable involved in the incident. Things took a legal turn when the constable filed an FIR against Sagar after he deleted the video.
The Legal Journey: From Anticipatory Bail to Supreme Court Appeal
In a bid to clear his name, Sagar secured anticipatory bail from a Pune Sessions Court. However, his hopes were dashed when a writ petition to quash the FIR was dismissed by the Bombay High Court, citing the already filed chargesheet. Determined to seek justice, Sagar took his case to the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition.
Advocate Satya Muley, representing Sagar, argued that freedom of speech on social media is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. He emphasized that Sagar should not be held accountable for the offensive comments made by others on his post. The Supreme Court sided with this argument, stating that prosecuting Sagar would be an “abuse of process of law.”
Supreme Court’s Observations: A Verdict in Favor of Individual Rights
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court made it clear that individuals are only responsible for their own posts on social media, not the comments left by others. The court also highlighted the illegality of demanding cash fines for corporation violations under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, shedding light on potential misuse of legal provisions by authorities.
The verdict serves as a crucial reminder of the need to uphold fundamental rights in the digital age and hold public authorities accountable for their actions. It sets a precedent for the protection of individual rights in the face of online controversies and highlights the power of social media in shaping legal outcomes.
Thanks For Reading Report of Punepress.com