2024:BHC-AS:4669-DB Gaikwad RD IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION (L) NO. 9792 OF 2023 Kunal Kamra, Indian inhabitant, aged 34 years, Residing at C-33, Kataria Colony, Caddel Road, Mahim, Mumbai 400 016. …Petitioner ~ versus ~

Union of India, Represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Having its office at Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complex, Pragati Vihar, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003. …Respondent WITH WRIT PETITION (L) NO.14955 OF 2023 Editors Guild of India, Having their registered office at B-62 Gulmohur Park (first floor), New Delhi 100 049. …Petitioner ~ versus ~

1. Union of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Having office at Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complex, Pragati Vihar, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003.

2. Union of India, Ministry of Law and Justice, Having office at 3rd floor, C Wing, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003.

3. Union of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Having office at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi 110 003. …Respondents WITH INTERIM APPLICATION (L) NO.17704 OF 2023 IN WRIT PETITION (L) NO.14955 OF 2023

1. News Broadcasters &

Digital Association, Through its Secretary General, Mrs Annie Joseph, Age – 67 years, Registered Office at: FF-42, Omaxe Sqaure, Commercial Centre, Jasola, New Delhi 110 025.

2. Bennett, Coleman &

Company Limited, Through its Authorized Signatory Mr Sanjay K Agarwal, Age – 54 years, Having Office at Trade House, Ground Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel West, Mumbai 400 013.

3. M/s TV 18 Broadcast Limited, Through its Authorized Signatory Mr Satyajit Sahoo, Age – 39 years, Having Office at Empire Complex, 414, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel West, Mumbai 400 013. …Applicants In the matter between Editors Guild of India, Having their registered office at B-62 Gulmohur Park (first floor), New Delhi 100 049. …Petitioner ~ versus ~

1. Union of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Having office at Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complex, Pragati Vihar, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003.

.

2. Union of India, Ministry of Law and Justice, Having office at 3rd floor, C Wing, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003.

3. Union of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Having office at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi 110 003. …Respondents WITH (CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION)

WRIT PETITION NO.7953 OF 2023 Association of India Magazines, Registered office at E-3, Jhandewalan Estate, New Delhi 110 055.

Through its President Srinivasan B, R/O Gemini House, Old No.58, new No. 36, 3rd Main Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar Chennai

600 020. …Petitioner ~ versus ~

Union of India, Through the Secretary Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Having office at Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complex, Pragati Vihar, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003. …Respondent APPEARANCES For the Petitioner Mr Navroz Seervai, Senior in WPL/9792/2023. Advocate, with Darius Khambata, Senior Advocate, Arti Raghavan, Vrinda Bhandari, Gayatri Malhotra, Abhinav Sekhri & Tanmay Singh, i/b Meenaz Kakalia For the Petitioner Mr Gautam Bhatia, with Aditi in WP/7953/2023. Saxena For Applicant in Mr Arvind Datar, Senior IAL/17704/2023. Advocate, with Nisha Bhambani, Rahul Unnikrishnan & Bharat Manghani, i/b Gautam Jain.

for respondent- Mr Tushar Mehta, Solicitor UOI. General, with Devang Vyas, Additional Solicitor General, Rajat Nair, Gaurang Bhushan, DP Singh, Ankit Lohia, Vikram Sahay, Additional Secretary, in all matters.

CORAM : G.S.Patel &

Dr. Neela Gokhale, JJ.

RESERVED ON : 29th September 2023 PRONOUNCED ON : 31st January 2024 JUDGMENT ( Per Dr. Neela Gokhale J) :-

Table of Contents

1. Overview...................................................................6 2. About the Parties........................................................6 3. Facts of the Case.........................................................7 4. Submissions.................................