Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India
AIR 2020 SC 1308 · 3-judge bench
Challenged the prolonged internet shutdown and movement restrictions imposed in Jammu & Kashmir following the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370, arguing it violated press freedom and the freedom to carry on trade/business online.
The Court held that the freedom of speech and expression, and the freedom to carry on any trade or business, over the internet are protected under Article 19, and that any internet shutdown must be necessary, proportionate, and for the least possible duration — with orders subject to periodic judicial review and required to be published.
The key precedent behind the argument that internet access itself is constitutionally protected in India — since this ruling, internet-shutdown orders have faced far greater scrutiny and required transparency they didn't before.
Related law
Free speech and expression
The freedom to carry on trade or business, also extended to online activity
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