New Delhi, July 15 - Five social media stars, including "India's Got Talent" host Samay Raina, appeared in the Supreme Court on Tuesday in the wake of a petition filed for mocking Divyangs.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalaya Bagchi recorded the presence of the social media influencers and asked them to file a response to the petition. They have also been asked to appear in person again on the next date of hearing of the case. However, the Supreme Court granted an exemption to influencer Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai to appear virtually on the next date of hearing due to a physical disability.
The bench said that the social media influencers will have to file their response within two weeks and no further extension will be given to them and their absence on the next date of hearing will be taken seriously.
The Supreme Court asked Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, to frame social media guidelines by striking a balance between freedom of speech and expression and the rights and duties of others. It said that the freedom of an individual should not infringe on the rights of others and the most difficult part is implementing these guidelines.
Earlier on May 5, the Supreme Court had directed the five social media influencers to appear before it or face action.