Image Source: THE TRIBUNE

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on the petitions seeking the restoration of the 4G Internet services in Jammu and Kashmir even as the administration sought to justify the restrictions citing the prevailing security situation. The top court is seized of the three petitions on the issue, including one each by the Foundation for Media Professionals and Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir. On April 27, restrictions on the 4G speed were extended till May 11. Earlier, in an affidavit filed in response to these petitions, the J&K Administration had said that reasonable restrictions were unavoidable in view of the peculiar geo-political situation. Asserting that right to access the Internet was not a fundamental right, the UT asserted that it could be curtailed in the interest of the sovereignty, security and integrity of the nation. On behalf of the Foundation for Media Professionals, Huzefa Ahmadi contended that the 2G speed was not enough for access to online education and healthcare services during the Covid lockdown and the restriction violated citizens’ right to education and right to health. Even Arogya Setu app can’t be downloaded and operated by people in the Valley, Ahmadi said. Contesting Ahmadi’s submissions, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta asserted on behalf of the J&K Administration that healthcare services were working.