The Bombay High Court on Thursday advised the Election Commission of India (ECI) not to take the issue of paid political content on social media lightly.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N.M. Jamdar was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Sagar Suryawanshi from Pune through advocate Sagar Kursija.

‘ECI’s approval needed’

The PIL has sought directions to the ECI to prohibit posting of paid political or election-related content on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google 48 hours before election day, by making Section 126 of the Representation of Peoples Act applicable to the platforms.

The plea also urges that before publishing or sponsoring any political advertisement, the platforms should take approval from the Election Commission.

The counsels appearing for Facebook and ECI sought time to file their replies.

The court said, “this is a serious matter,” and sought an explanation from the ECI as to why its officer was not present in court on Thursday. In the previous hearing, the court had directed an ECI officer to be present.

The court said, “The matter is very important, and therefore if the officer failed to remain present at the next hearing too, the court will issue a warrant against him.”

The Bench has directed the ECI and Facebook to file their replies on February 4.