Withdraw Cases Immediately Under Section 66A Of IT Act, Orders Home Ministry

The states and Union Territories have also been asked to sensitize law enforcement agencies for the compliance of the order issued by the Supreme Court on March 24, 2015.

Amit Shah (Image Source: PTI)

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has requested the states and Union Territories (UTs) to direct all police stations under their jurisdiction not to register cases under the repealed Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The states and Union Territories have also been asked to sensitize law enforcement agencies for the compliance of the order issued by the Supreme Court on March 24, 2015.

The Home Ministry has also requested that if any case has been booked in the states and Union Territories under Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000, such cases should be immediately withdrawn.

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The Supreme Court had in its judgment on March 24, 2015, in the matter of Shreya Singhal Vs. Union of India struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

“This made Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 null and void with effect from the date of the order, therefore 24.03.2015 and hence no action could be taken under this section,” the Home Ministry said in a release.