HC puts off hearing on Google, Facebook pleas

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Delhi High Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing on petitions of Google India and Facebook India challenging a trial court's order to prosecute them for allegedly hosting objectionable content.

Also read: Impossible to control content: Google FB

"The matter is likely to be taken up Feb 2 or Feb 3," said Justice Suresh Kait.

Google India and Facebook India earlier told the high court that it was impossible for them to control content with billions of people accessing the websites.

Petitioner Vinay Rai requested the trial court to remove objectionable contents from 21 websites. Among these, 12 websites are of foreign-based companies.

Also read: FB agrees with India's concern on abusive content

Metropolitan Magistrate Sudesh Kumar summoned the accused companies to face trial for allegedly committing the offence punishable under the Indian Penal Code sections 292 (sale of obscene books and material and 293 (sale of obscene objects to young person).

The trial court observed that the material submitted by the complainant contained obscene pictures and derogatory articles pertaining to various Hindu deities, Prophet Mohammad and Jesus Christ.