Jharkhand HC Restricts Internet Suspension for Exams

Court Mandates Prior Permission for Shutdowns Amid JSSC Exam Controversy

Key Points:

• High Court orders state to seek permission before suspending internet for exams

• PIL filed against internet suspension during JSSC Combined Graduate-Level Exam

• Court summons Home Secretary over expanded internet shutdown order

RANCHI – The Jharkhand High Court has issued a directive to the state government regarding internet suspensions for examinations.

The court ordered that prior permission must be obtained before suspending internet services for exams.

This ruling will remain in effect until the resolution of the current writ petition.

Moreover, the directive came in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Rajendra Krishna.

Krishna, Chairman of the State Bar Council, challenged the internet suspension for JSSC exams.

Initially, the government claimed only mobile internet services were partially suspended.

However, the court later learned of an expanded suspension covering all internet services.

Furthermore, Justices Ananda Sen and Anubha Rawat Choudhary summoned Home Secretary Vandana Dadel.

The court viewed the state’s expanded suspension as circumventing its previous order.

Judges described the action as "fraud against the Court" and "deceptive."

Additionally, the court suggested the state’s actions might amount to criminal contempt.

Dadel explained that intelligence inputs prompted the decision to suspend all internet services.

On the other hand, the court noted discrepancies in submissions from various parties involved.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 14, with replies expected from the state and service providers.

This case highlights the tension between exam security and public internet access.

The court’s intervention aims to balance these concerns while upholding judicial authority.