"Heavens are not going to fall if the provisions are stayed. This matter cannot be treated lightly. Two years have passed and there is no definite answer from you [Centre]… either you file your affidavit or we will stay the operation of these provisions,” said Supreme Court Justice J Chelameswar yesterday in a case challenging the operation of sections 66A and 74 of the Information Technology Act, reported the Indian Express and others.

NDTV reported that the petition was brought by Faisal Farooqui, founder of reviews website Mouthshut.com, in a bid to challenge the draconian and vague anti-free speech law that requires those who host content to remove objectionable or offensive content (s66A) or face three years in jail, with intermediaries facing two years in jail for not complying (s74).

The next hearing is scheduled for 9 December.