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India overturns controversial social media expression law

The Indian Supreme Court has overruled a controversial law which enabled the prosecution of people for comments on social media networks.

The Supreme Court decided section 66A of the Information Technology Act was unconstitutional.

"Section 66A is unconstitutional and we have no hesitation in striking it down," news agency AFP quoted Justice RF Nariman as saying in court.

"The public's right to know is directly affected by section 66A," he said.

The law was challenged after two women were arrested for posting and liking a comment on Facebook, criticising the response of Hindu fundamentalist politician Raj Thackeray.

See more on the BBC here.

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