Judges emphasize strict action against indecent social media material directed at women
Police officers walk past the Supreme Court of Pakistan building in Islamabad, Pakistan April 6, 2022. REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court on Monday took a stern view of the spread of obscene content against women on social media, noting that if the situation had become so dangerous, children should not have mobile phones and that crimes involving attacks on personal dignity must be dealt with strictly.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail made the remarks when the court was hearing a bail application in a case involving the alleged dissemination of obscene and immoral content against women on social media.
The hearing was conducted by a two-member bench comprising Justice Mandokhail and Justice Musarrat Hilali, which was hearing the bail application of accused Tayyab Dar, who has been accused of posting immoral content about women on social media platforms.
The complainant’s defense counsel argued during the case that the objectionable material the defendant had allegedly spread was still available on social media and included posts about women that could not even be read aloud in court.
In response, defense counsel maintained that the Facebook posts had been uploaded by the defendant’s son, arguing that the father could not be prosecuted for his son’s actions.
He further claimed that the SIM card registered in the father’s name was being used by the son.
However, the complainant’s lawyer informed the court that investigations had revealed that both father and son used the same mobile phone.
At this point, Justice Mandokhail observed that if the situation was really so alarming, children should not be provided with mobile phones, adding that such crimes must be viewed seriously as no one could be allowed to defame the honor of others.
Judge Musarrat Hilali questioned whether the accused had never been informed of how his number was being used, observing that there was evidence for Tayyab Dar.
The applicant’s lawyer requested additional time to submit additional documents, which the court granted before adjourning the hearing for a week.
