Gujarat HC Orders Authorities to Publicize Gathering Restrictions on Social Media

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In a significant ruling, the Gujarat High Court has directed authorities to widely publicize notifications restricting public gatherings on social media platforms. The HC passed the order while setting aside notifications issued under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which banned gatherings of four or more people in public places. The court observed that merely publishing these notifications in the official gazette was insufficient, as the public does not have access to it. The HC noted that the authorities should adhere to procedural aspects and safeguards when issuing such notifications. They must also provide wide publicity on social media, including platforms like Twitter and Facebook. This move aims to prevent the misuse of section 144, which has been repeatedly used to restrain people from gathering in groups of four or more in Ahmedabad city between 2016 and 2019. The court's direction comes after a petition was filed by individuals who were protesting against the Citizenship Act in 2019. They claimed that the authorities did not provide them with sufficient notice before issuing the notifications, violating their fundamental rights. The petitioners also argued that the repeated use of such notifications was an attempt to curtail their right to peaceful protest. The HC's order is expected to bring about a change in the way authorities handle public gatherings in the state. It emphasizes the importance of transparency and public awareness when exercising powers under section 144 and similar provisions.