The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (11 March) sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking immediate action through notified designated officers for removal of fake news and hate speeches being circulated through social media platforms, reports ANI.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Harishankar also issued notice to the Facebook, Twitter and Google on the plea filed by former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue K N Govindacharya.

In the plea, Govindacharya accused various social media platforms of misusing the idea of free speech and not complying with the Indian laws which results in divisive society and riots like situation.

The plea states that as per the Delhi police, the social media sites have become a safe haven for hate speech regarding which there is no clear mechanism to enforce justice.

It was also argued that the social media platforms have not taken down hateful content as it is a big source of revenue for them and it is manipulated to evade taxes, reports Live Law.

After hearing the submission from Govindacharya’s advocate, the HC bench sought response from the Home Ministry, Finance Ministry and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology along with the social media companies.

The Delhi HC has slated the matter for further hearing on 13 April.