Obscenity on OTT platforms serious issue, says SC as it seeks response from Centre
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said some regulations in this regard were in existence while some more were in contemplation
The Supreme Court on Monday (April 28) sought responses from the Centre and others on a plea seeking direction to take appropriate steps to prohibit the streaming of sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms.
Also read: SC accused of ‘intruding’: Justice BR Gavai ‘reacts’ to BJP MP’s claim
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih said the petition raised an important concern and the issue was within the domain of the executive or the legislature.
More regulations soon
“As it is, there are allegations that we are encroaching upon the legislature and executive power,” Justice Gavai said.
The bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, that the government should do something about the issue raised in the plea.
Mehta said some regulations in this regard were in existence while some more were in contemplation.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain appeared for the petitioners.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by five petitioners who have also sought guidelines constituting a National Content Control Authority to prohibit sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms.
Also read: SC to hear plea on sexually explicit content on OTT, social media on April 28
Interestingly, the top court’s reference to allegations that the judiciary is encroaching upon the legislature and executive power comes days after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused it of intruding into the domain of the legislature after it fixed a deadline for the president and the governors to clear bills passed by the state assemblies.
(With agency inputs)
