The Supreme Court on Friday said the right to access the internet is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution. The apex court directed the Jammu & Kashmir administration to immediately restore internet services connected with access to government websites, localised/limited e-banking facilities, hospital services and other essential services.
A three-judge bench, headed by Justice N.V. Ramana and also comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and R. Subhash Reddy said, “Non recognition of technology within the sphere of law is only a disservice to the inevitable. In this light, the importance of the internet cannot be underestimated, as from morning to night we are encapsulated within the cyberspace and our most basic activities are enabled by the use of internet.”
However, the judgement did not mention any timeframe to restore internet services to other sectors and for the people in the region.
The apex court observed that it is essential to distinguish between the internet as a tool and the freedom of expression through the internet.
“There is no dispute that freedom of speech and expression includes the right to disseminate information to as wide a section of the population as possible. The wider range of circulation of information or its greater impact cannot restrict the content of the right nor can it justify its denial,” said the court.
The apex court said that the expression through the internet has gained contemporary relevance and is one of the major means of information diffusion. “Therefore, the freedom of speech and expression through the medium of internet is an integral part of Article 19(1)(a) and accordingly, any restriction on the same must be in accordance with Article 19(2) of the Constitution,” added the court.
The court identified the internet is also a very important tool for trade and commerce, and there is no doubt that there are certain trades which are completely dependent on the internet.
“Such a right of trade through internet also fosters consumerism and availability of choice. Therefore, the freedom of trade and commerce through the medium of the internet is also constitutionally protected under Article 19(1)(g), subject to the restrictions provided under Article 19(6),” observed the court.
The apex court observed that none of the counsels involved in the matter have argued for declaring the right to access the internet as a fundamental right and therefore “we are not expressing any view on the same”.
“We are confining ourselves to declaring that the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), and the right to carry on any trade or business under 19(1)(g), using the medium of internet is constitutionally protected,” said court. Therefore, the court has given Constitutional protection to the right to access the internet, which can be termed as a fundamental right.
The apex court concluded that the suspension of broad telecom services, be it the internet or otherwise, being a drastic measure, “which must be considered by the state only if ‘necessary’ and ‘unavoidable’.”