In a first of its kind of event, a division bench of the supreme court came down heavily on a petitioner who sought damages of Rs 75 lakhs from Google India because he was allegedly distracted by the sexual content in advertisements on the Google owned streaming platform youTube. The petitioner alleged that he couldn’t pass a Madhya Pradesh police recruitment examination because of the same reason.

Invoking Article 19(2)  of the Constitution, which outlines the reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression, the petitioner also sought a blanket ban on nudity on social media platforms.

The bench which  comprised Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S. Oka, expressed its shock and disbelief saying “This is one of the most atrocious petitions ever filed under article 32”. While pronouncing the order Justice Kaul, also categorically stated “If you do not like an advertisement do not watch it”

“What for do you need damages? Because you use the internet or since you failed the exam because you use the internet?” the Justice further asked. “You have come to demand for damages because sexual content in advertisements apparently diverted you attention. Now,  you have to pay damages to the court because of your conduct”,  the judge said.

While dismissing the petition and imposing and in exemplary cost of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner, Justice Kaul also remarked “These kind of petitions are after wastage of judicial time”

The petitioner appealed saying “Your Lordship, please forgive me. My parents are daily wage labourers”

“You think you can come to this court whenever you want publicity? I will reduce the cost but will not forgive you” said justice Kaul and directed the cause to be reduced to Rs. 25000. “I do not have a source of income” the petitioner further said to which the justice replied “If you do not have a source of income, we have no other way but to recover the debt”

Here’s how internet reacted to the bizarre case filed be the individual:

நஷ்ட ஈடு மட்டும் கொடுத்து இருக்கட்டும்

இன்னும் 1000 case பதிவு ஆகி இருக்கும்.

😂😂😂😂😂

— NR (@thisis_Nr) December 9, 2022

Distracted by advertisement, failed in exam but he want to be a cop. And expecting compensation for it?

He should have opted for YouTube premium.

— தேனீ (@malaithenioffl) December 9, 2022

விட்டா ரோட்ல பெண்கள் எல்லாம் நடந்து போறாங்க அவங்கள பார்க்கும்போது எனக்கு கவன சிதறல் ஏற்படுதுன்னு உருட்டுவான்போல

பிகு… கண்டிப்பா இவன் தன்னைதானே கலாச்சார காவலர்கள்னு பித்திக்கிற குருப்பாத்தான் இருப்பான்

— J baskar (@jbaskarjbaskar2) December 9, 2022

Case போட்டதுக்கு பதிலா Ad Blocker ஒன்னு install பண்ணிருந்தா Police சும் ஆகிருக்கலாம் Rs. 25K னும் மிச்சம் பண்ணிருக்கலா.. https://t.co/5EhB8eJ8WV pic.twitter.com/UPuctXVu8o

— Vegeta – Prince With Pride (@toonlover6) December 9, 2022

That Judge ~
கரும்பு காட்டுக்கு நீ எதுக்கு கண்ணு *ம்பவா போணனு கேட்ருப்பாரு https://t.co/h9Ec7j2iKS pic.twitter.com/GjPt3gTdFm

— Habitual offender (@johnwick194) December 9, 2022

இது ஒரு வழக்கு என எந்த வக்கீல் இதை தூக்கிட்டு போயிருப்பார்னு யோசிக்கிறேன்! 😀😀 https://t.co/h8JtZnLQL0

— SKP KARUNA (@skpkaruna) December 9, 2022