HC defers hearing Facebook, Google challenge of trial court order

The Delhi High Court today deferred its hearing till August 7 in the case filed by Facebook and Google challenging the trial court's order to prosecute them for hosting allegedly objectionable content on websites.

The court, however, said its interim order that refused to stay the summons issued against both the networking sites by a trial court over a complaint related to allegedly objectionable content on websites will continue till the next date of hearing.

On January 13, the central government had allowed the prosecution of the social networking sites, saying the content was instigating enmity between different groups on the ground of religion and was against national harmony.

Taking cognisance of the government's report, a city court had summoned the websites and asked their representatives to appear in person before it.

Petitioner Vinay Rai approached the trial court to remove allegedly objectionable content from 21 websites including Facebook, Google, Yahoo and YouTube.

The court had summoned the accused companies to face trial for allegedly committing offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code sections 292 (sale of obscene books and material) and 293 (sale of obscene objects to young person).