The Karnataka High Court has issued a warning to Facebook, stating that it may consider ordering the closure of the social media giant’s operations in India. The warning comes as a result of Facebook’s alleged lack of cooperation with the state police regarding an investigation into the case of an imprisoned Indian citizen in Saudi Arabia.
According to a report from news agency IANS, Justice Krishna S Dixit’s bench gave this warning while addressing a petition filed by a resident named Kavitha from Bikarnakatte near Mangalore. The court directed Facebook to submit a comprehensive report containing the necessary information within a week.
The court also emphasized that the Central government should provide details about the actions taken in response to the arrest of an Indian citizen under false charges. Additionally, the Mangaluru police must conduct a thorough investigation and present a report. The court adjourned the hearing to June 22.
In her plea, Kavitha explained that her husband, Shailesh Kumar, had been working in Saudi Arabia for 25 years, while she and their children lived in their hometown. She stated that in 2019, Kumar had posted a message on Facebook in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). However, unknown individuals created a fake Facebook account in his name and posted offensive content against the King of Saudi Arabia and Islam. Upon discovering this, Kumar informed his family, and Kavitha filed a police complaint in Mangaluru. Unfortunately, the Saudi police arrested Shailesh Kumar and detained him.
The Mangaluru police had requested information from Facebook regarding the creation of the fake account but received no response. In 2021, Kavitha approached the High Court, questioning the delay in the investigation. She also wrote a letter to the central government seeking her husband’s release from prison.
