HC stays Rs.11 lakh fine imposed on Yahoo India

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Delhi High Court Wednesday stayed the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) order asking Yahoo India to pay Rs.11 lakh as penalty for its failure to provide email information of a person in national interest.

Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also directed Yahoo India to furnish the requisite information within a week and fixed the matter for Nov 8.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Yahoo India, which came in appeal before the high court challenging the CCA direction to pay Rs.11 lakh fine.

The government had sought some information, on the grounds of national security, from CCA about some individuals including their email identities. The CCA asked Yahoo India to furnish the details.

"However, Yahoo India failed to provide the information for which it was fined by the CCA under Section 28 of the Information Technology (IT) Act. The authority also issued warning to Yahoo India," said CCA.

Appearing for Yahoo India, former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium said the firm had complied with the provision of Section 69 of the IT Act and had provided the information.

"CCA is not authorised to impose fine or penalty," said Yahoo India in its petition.