Karnataka High Court Warns Facebook, Threatens Closure of Operations in India

In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court issued a stern warning to Facebook, indicating that it may take the extreme step of ordering the closure of the social media giant’s activities in India. The warning comes in response to Facebook’s alleged lack of cooperation with the state police during the investigation of an imprisoned Indian citizen’s case in Saudi Arabia.

Facebook Directed to Submit Complete Report
During a hearing on a petition filed by Kavitha, a resident of Bikarnakatte near Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district, Justice Krishna S. Dixit’s bench instructed Facebook to submit a comprehensive report containing the necessary information within a week.

Government Action and Police Investigation
Furthermore, the court emphasized that the Central government should provide details regarding the actions taken in response to the arrest of an Indian citizen in a false case. The Mangaluru police were also instructed to carry out a thorough investigation and submit a report. The court adjourned the hearing to June 22.

The Case of Shailesh Kumar
Kavitha, in her plea, highlighted the plight of her husband, Shailesh Kumar, aged 52, who had been employed with a company in Saudi Arabia for 25 years while she resided in their hometown, taking care of their children.

According to Kavitha, in 2019, Kumar expressed his support for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) through a Facebook post. Unfortunately, unidentified individuals created a fake Facebook account in his name and proceeded to share objectionable content targeting the King of Saudi Arabia and Islam. As soon as Kumar became aware of this situation, he informed his family, and Kavitha promptly lodged a complaint with the Mangaluru police. Regrettably, the Saudi authorities arrested Shailesh Kumar and imprisoned him.

Facebook’s Non-Responsiveness
The Mangaluru police, while investigating the matter, wrote a letter to Facebook, requesting information about the creation of the fraudulent Facebook account. However, Facebook failed to respond to the police’s inquiry. Subsequently, in 2021, Kavitha approached the High Court, seeking intervention due to the delay in the investigation process.

Seeking Assistance from the Central Government
In her pursuit to secure her husband’s release, Kavitha also wrote a letter to the Central government, urging them to take action and facilitate Shailesh Kumar’s return from prison.

These recent developments underscore the Karnataka High Court’s determination to ensure that Facebook cooperates fully with the ongoing investigation. Failure to comply with the court’s directives may result in severe consequences for Facebook, potentially leading to the suspension of its operations in India. The court, along with the Central government and the Mangaluru police, remains committed to resolving this distressing situation and seeking justice for Shailesh Kumar and his family.