New Delhi:Discussions on social media platforms and freedom of speech cannot be curbed and any push to do so may extend an invitation to litigation, Attorney General KK Venugopal, the top law officer has told media.

Attorney General told; The Supreme Court would not go out of its way unless contempt is committed, and the Supreme Court only initiates contempt cases in the “Rarest of Rare” cases.

For a healthy democracy in the country, open discussions on social media platforms should not be curbed. The Supreme Court generally does not react to the criticism unless lines are crossed, said Attorney General.

Attorney General said, amid cases for contempt of court on supreme court decisions being questioned or criticized on social media platforms including on Twitter.

Attorney General Mr. Venugopal has recently allowed around 11 people to proceed against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, on criticizing and questioning the supreme court’s decision to grant bail to anchor Arnab Goswami (Republic TV) after he was sent to judicial custody in an abetment to suicide case in Mumbai.

Recently, Attorney General allowed a contempt of court case to proceed against a comic artist Rachita Taneja, law student for her alleged objectionable tweets against the Supreme Court of India.

In August, the Supreme Court had found Prashant Bhushan, a senior supreme court lawyer and an activist guilty of contempt for posting two tweets and had fined him Rupees One.

The consent to initiating contempt proceedings against a person is required either from the Attorney General or the Solicitor General of India.

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