States » SouthPosted at: Jul 1 2025 7:41PM


Karnataka HC objects to X Corp's 'Tom, Dick, Harry' remarks

Bengaluru, July 1 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday took strong exception to the language used by Elon Musk-owned X Corp while challenging a content take down notice issued by the Ministry of Railways.
Senior Advocate KG Raghavan, appearing for X Corp India, told the court that the company had received a notice on June 26 from the Railway Ministry asking it to block a video of a woman driving a car on railway tracks in Hyderabad. Raghavan questioned the legitimacy of such notices, remarking, “What if every Tom, Dick, and Harry officer sends notice to me? See how this is being misused.”
The comment drew immediate objection from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union Government. “They are officers, not Tom, Dick, and Harry. They are statutory functionaries empowered to act. This arrogance from international bodies is unacceptable,” Mehta asserted.
He further emphasized that no social media platform can expect to operate without regulation in India while complying with rules abroad.
Justice M Nagaprasanna also took issue with the expression used by X Corp’s counsel. “These are officers of the Union of India. I take objection. They are not Tom, Dick, and Harry,” the judge said.
The court was hearing X Corp’s petition challenging the basis of takedown orders issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act. The company has argued that blocking orders can only be issued by following the procedure laid out in Section 69A of the Act, along with the applicable blocking rules.
Senior Advocate Aditya Sondhi appeared on behalf of a digital media association seeking to intervene in the case. He argued that content creators are directly affected when their posts are removed without due process. The bench, however, questioned the locus standi of the association, stating the dispute was between X Corp and the Government.
Mehta also opposed the intervention plea, saying “Twitter is a competent international body. It does not require support from third-party associations.”
The High Court allowed X Corp to amend its petition to include relevant ministries and directed the Union Government to file its objections. The matter has been posted for final hearing on July 8.
UNI BDN RKM
Tags: #Karnataka HC objects to X Corp's 'Tom# Dick# Harry' remarks
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