Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has taken strong exception to the state government’s decision to shut down internet services across the entire state during the CGL examinations held on September 21 and 22, in a surprise session on Sunday.
Following a petition filed against the shutdown, the court ordered the immediate restoration of internet services on Sunday.
The government had imposed the internet blackout from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM for exams, citing the need to ensure a fair and malpractice-free examination.
However, this decision was met with significant backlash, prompting Advocate Rajendra Krishna to inform the acting Chief Justice through a letter, describing the government’s action as inappropriate.
In response, the court converted the letter into a public interest litigation and convened a bench for an urgent hearing.
During a surprise session on Sunday, Justices Anand Sen and Anubha Rawat Chaudhary expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s unilateral decision to disrupt internet access statewide. They emphasized that any such action requires prior approval from the High Court, stating, “It is not appropriate to disrupt internet service in the entire state in the name of examination.”
The court has also requested a copy of the official order that sanctioned the internet shutdown. Following the High Court’s directive, internet services were restored around 1:30 PM on September 22.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled to take place in six weeks, as the court continues to assess the implications of the government’s actions on citizens’ rights and access to information.