Internet firms asked to remove derogatory content by Feb 6

New Delhi, Dec 24: A Delhi Court has asked 21 social networking sites including Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and YouTube to remove all derogatory content by Feb 6, 2012.

Summons were issued by the court to the websites for facing a trial for webcasting objectionable content.

Sudesh Kumar, Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) directed the centre for taking "immediate appropriate steps" and also file a report in the court by Jan 13.

The websites will have to face contempt of court in case they fail to remove any objectionable content by Feb 6.

"It appears from a bare perusal of the documents that prima facie the accused in connivance with each other and other unknown persons are selling, publicly exhibiting and have put into circulation obscene, lascivious content which also appears to the prurient interests and tends to deprave and corrupt the persons who are likely to read, see or hear the same," said the court

"It is also evident that such contents are continuously openly and freely available to everyone who is using the said network irrespective of their age and even the persons under the age of 18 years have full and uncensored access to such obscene contents," said the court.

The Magistrate also observed that the websites contained derogatory articles and obscene pictures submitted by Vinay Rai, the complainant pertaining to Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammad and various Hindu God and Goddesses.

OneIndia News