The Supreme Court of India has underscored the importance of being mindful of the impact and reach of social media, as it dismissed a petition submitted by S Ve Shekher, an actor and former Tamil Nadu MLA. Shekher is facing legal proceedings for sharing a Facebook post in 2018 that allegedly contained derogatory remarks against women journalists. The apex court’s remarks serve as a reminder for individuals using social media platforms to consider the potential consequences of their actions.
A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and P K Mishra heard Shekher’s plea challenging the Madras High Court’s July 14 decision, which had rejected his request to quash the criminal proceedings related to the controversial Facebook post. The bench, addressing the advocate representing Shekher, noted, “If one uses social media, then he should be more careful about its impact and reach.”
In defense of his actions, Shekher’s lawyer argued that at the time of sharing the post, the petitioner had put medicine in his eyes, which prevented him from reading its contents. However, the bench emphasized that individuals should exercise caution when using social media and be prepared to face the consequences if they choose to engage in such platforms.
The Madras High Court had previously highlighted that Shekher had allegedly published and circulated an offensive comment on his Facebook account on April 19, 2018, targeting women journalists. This action prompted a complaint to the Chennai Commissioner of Police, leading to an FIR and several private complaints filed against him across different parts of Tamil Nadu.
During the proceedings, Shekher’s counsel had contended that he was unaware of the message’s contents and had forwarded it from his Facebook account. Subsequently, upon learning about the derogatory remarks, Shekher removed the post within hours and issued an unconditional apology to the women journalists and the media.
The high court’s order emphasized the power of social media to disseminate information globally in an instant. It remarked, “A message sent/forwarded in the social media can reach the nook and corner of the world in no time.” It also stressed that given the petitioner’s stature, greater responsibility was expected in statements and messages shared on social media platforms.
In conclusion, the high court likened messages shared on social media to arrows that have already been shot from a bow, illustrating their irretrievable impact once circulated. The Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of Shekher’s petition reiterates the necessity for prudence when utilizing social media platforms, given their potential for far-reaching and lasting consequences.
Sources By Agencies
