Arrested for a Facebook Like? The Supreme Court Case That Changed India

A young woman clicked "Like" on a Facebook post.

The next day, police arrested her.

What happened next led to one of the most important free speech judgments in modern Indian history and changed how courts think about online speech, censorship, and internet freedom.

In this episode of Docket Decoded, we break down the landmark Supreme Court case Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015), the constitutional challenge that struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, and why this judgment continues to influence debates on free speech, social media regulation, online censorship, and digital rights across India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Whether you're a law student, lawyer, policymaker, journalist, or simply someone who uses social media, this case explains an important question:

Who decides what speech is too offensive for the internet?

⚖️ In this video, you'll learn:

• What actually happened in Mumbai in 2012
• Why two young women were arrested over a Facebook post
• How Section 66A became one of India's most controversial internet laws
• The constitutional arguments before the Supreme Court
• Why all five judges unanimously struck down the law
• The difference between offensive speech and unlawful speech
• How India compares with the US, UK, and Australia on online speech regulation
• Why this judgment still matters in the age of social media

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — She Clicked Like. Then the Police Came.
0:45 — Mumbai, November 2012: What Actually Happened
1:57 — The Arrest: Shaheen, Rinu, and One Facebook Post
2:56 — The Law Student Who Took On the Government
3:32 — What Section 66A Actually Said (It's Worse Than You Think)
4:29 — The Neighbourhood Analogy: Why the Law Was Dangerous
5:28 — Article 19 and the Theatre Test
6:29 — Five Judges. One Constitutional Bench.
7:32 — The Unanimous Verdict That Changed Indian Internet Law
8:40 — What the Headlines Missed
9:07 — Advocacy vs Incitement: The Line the Court Drew
10:04 — Section 66A Struck Down
10:08 — What Actually Changed After the Judgment
11:00 — Where Are Shaheen, Rinu, and Shreya Today?
11:42 — Global Comparison: India, US, UK & Australia
12:41 — Australia's eSafety Powers and Modern Speech Regulation
13:20 — Who Decides What's Too Offensive Online?
13:54 — Sign-Off & Disclaimer

📚 CASE DETAILS

Case: Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)
Court: Supreme Court of India
Subject: Freedom of Speech, Constitutional Law, Internet Law, Digital Rights, Online Censorship

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAvfnXwjvQM

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified legal professional for advice regarding your specific circumstances.

Видео Arrested for a Facebook Like? The Supreme Court Case That Changed India канала Docket Decoded