The Madras high court on Wednesday issued notice to the federal government of India on a plea moved by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) challenging the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The interim relief of the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy has granted the liberty for the association to approach the court if any coercive and arm-twisting action is taken under the rules, under provisions 12, 14 & 16 of the rules, Times of India reported earlier in the day.

Earlier, the association, represented by senior advocate P S Raman, contended that some of the provisions of the Rules immediately impacted the association members.

Particularly, Rule 16, which is an omnibus provision giving power to the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to block public access to any digital information.

Therefore, the petitioner wanted the court to pass an interim order restraining the federal government from taking any action under the rules pending disposal of the plea.

Since no adverse action has been initiated against the petitioner as of now, the bench refused to grant any omnibus order like staying the operation of the rules.

Keep tuned in for mode details.