Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)
In this landmark case, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000 as unconstitutional for being vague and overbroad in violation of Article 19(1)(a). The Court simultaneously upheld Section 69A, specifically because it contained adequate procedural safeguards -- a narrowly drawn provision with defined grounds, a reasoned order requirement, a hearing process, and a review committee.
- Section 66A (struck down): Criminalised sending "grossly offensive" or "menacing" information online; terms were vague, overbroad, and failed the test of reasonable restriction under Article 19(2).
- Section 69A (upheld): Blocking power validated because it is narrowly drawn with safeguards -- reasoned order, pre-decisional hearing (except in emergencies), and review by an inter-departmental committee.
- Section 79(3)(b) (read down): The Court held intermediaries are obligated to remove content only upon receiving a court order or government notification through due process -- not upon informal or arbitrary takedown notices.
- Citation: (2015) 5 SCC 1; decided on 24 March 2015 by Justices J. Chelameswar and R.F. Nariman.
● Tracked since February 08, 2026 · last seen June 21, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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