New Delhi: Social media is a powerful medium, but can be misused to spread lies.
None other than the Chief Justice of India (CJI) was at the receiving end of ill-intentioned mischief recently.
A ‘message’ was being circulated on WhatsApp with a photo of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud claiming that the CJI has urged people to take to the streets and protest against the Central government.
Atul Kurhekar, the Secretary General of Supreme Court rubbished the purported WhatsApp ‘message’ being circulated widely in English and Hindi as fake.
Kurhekar told Law Today that no such statement has been made by the CJI.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also called out the fake message and said that action will be taken against the culprits.
“It is a fake forward. No CJI will ever do such a thing, much less a luminary like CJI Chandrachud. Steps should be and will be taken for such a serious mischief in the name of Hon. Chief Justice of India,” said Mehta.
The message being shared with Justice Chandrachud’s image has the headline ‘Indian democracy Supreme Court Zindabad’.
The text under the headline reads: “We are trying our best to save the Constitution of India, the democracy of India. But your cooperation is also very important for this, all the people should unite and come out on the streets and ask the government for their rights, this dictatorial government will scare people, and threaten, but you don’t have to be afraid, keep courage and ask the government to account, I am with you.” The author’s name is given as – DY Chandrachud (Chief Justice).
