DHAKA: India’s top court on Tuesday struck down a controversial law that made posting ‘offensive’ comments online a crime punishable by jail, a ruling which free speech campaigners hailed as a victory.

The Supreme Court said the 2009 amendment to India’s Information Technology Act, known as section 66A and widely criticized as a draconian limit on freedom of speech, was unconstitutional.

‘Section 66A is unconstitutional and we have no hesitation in striking it down,’ said Justice RF Nariman, reading out the judgment, reports The Straits Times.

‘The public’s right to know is directly affected by section 66A.’

The Supreme Court had been asked to examine the legality of the amendment, which makes sending information of ‘grossly offensive or menacing character’ punishable by up to three years in jail.

BDST: 1507 HRS, MAR 24, 2015