VERDICTUM.IN
NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2023/DHC/001676
contained or embodied in it, shall be punished on first
conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term
which may extend to three years and with fine which may
extend to five lakh rupees and in the event of second or
subsequent conviction with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to five years and
also with fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees…”
67A. Punishment for publishing or transmitting of
material containing sexually explicit act, etc., in electronic
form. -Whoever publishes or transmits or causes to be
published or transmitted in the electronic form any material
which contains sexually explicit act or conduct shall be
punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to five years and
with fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees and in the
event of second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment
of either description for a term which may extend to seven
years and also with fine which may extend to ten lakh
rupees.”
20.
At the outset, a perusal of the order of both the Courts below
reveal that the orders have been passed primarily on the findings that
after going through the web series, particularly Episode 05 of Season
01, it was observed that all the petitioners herein have used obscene
words throughout the episode and since the obscenity pertaining to
electronic media can be dealt with only under Section 67 of IT Act,
the learned ASJ has held that the FIR be registered under Section
67A of the IT Act, and not under Sections 292 and 294 of IPC as also
observed by learned ACMM. The conclusion reached by the learned
ASJ that offence under Section 67A of IT Act is made out in the
present case, as borne out from the order, is on the premise that the
petitioners have indulged in publishing, transmitting material which
CRL.M.C. 2214/2020 & connected matters
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