Three-member SC bench to decide validity of Fact-Check Units

Raghav Ohri

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that questions of paramount importance are involved in the case relating to the validity of Fact-Check Units(FCUs) mooted to identify false or fake news against the government on social media and online platforms. Referring the matter to a three-judge bench for final adjudication, a three member bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant observed that clear guidelines need to be laid down.

CJI Kant remarked that "question is of paramount importance and it is better the SC lays down the law. It is about balancing without compromising the constitutional values". The development took place during the hearing of a plea filed by the Centre challenging a September 2024 verdict of the Bombay HC which struck down the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023, specifically Rule 3, which empowers the Centre to form FCUs for identifying false or fake news against the government on social media and online platforms.