The Jharkhand High Court has ordered the immediate restoration of internet services in the state. This comes after the government suspended these services to conduct the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination on September 21 and 22. Principal Secretary of the Jharkhand Home Department Vandana Dadel issued an order suspending internet services across the state from 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on both days.
The aim was to prevent the spread of rumours and leak of question papers during the examination period. Rajendra Krishna, Chairperson of the Jharkhand State Bar Council, challenged the government’s decision through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The case was taken up by a Division Bench of Justices Ananda Sen and Anubha Rawat Choudhary.
Krishna argued that the suspension of internet services severely impacted commercial activities, including banking and transport. The Bench directed the government to respond to the petition within four weeks. On the evening of September 21, it was announced that internet services would be suspended again from 4 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. The court subsequently ordered the state government to restore internet services by 2 p.m. on September 22.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s handling of the situation.
Court orders restoration of internet
Principal Secretary Dadel was asked to explain the urgency behind the decision, which was reportedly based on intelligence inputs received around midnight of September 21-22.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 14, 2024. The court has ruled that no internet services in the state can be suspended without its permission until the writ petition is resolved. The High Court has strongly criticized the Jharkhand government for enforcing a total internet shutdown during the exam, calling it a “fraud played on this court.” The court’s reprimand comes amid concerns over the impact of the shutdown on individuals and businesses across the state.
The Jharkhand government defended its actions, stating that the internet shutdown was necessary to prevent cheating and ensure a fair testing process. However, the court questioned the proportionality and efficacy of the response. The suspension of mobile internet services has also sparked criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A BJP leader criticized the directive, suggesting it demonstrated the failure of the Jharkhand government to maintain the integrity of the examination process through more conventional and effective means. The decision to suspend mobile internet has been a contentious topic, drawing reactions from various political factions and public interest groups. They argue that it impacts citizens’ daily lives and raises questions about the administration’s capacity.
