The Hindu Business Line : Govt tight-lipped on changes in IT Act

THE Information Technology Department on Thursday remained tight-lipped on the issue of amendment of IT Act, a subject being hotly debated in the industry following the recent arrest of Baazee.com CEO in the high profile MMS case.

"The matter is before the court. I can't comment on it," the IT Secretary, Mr Brijesh Kumar, said on the sidelines of a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) panel discussion on Research and Development and IPR in ICT industry here.

Asked about the recent demand by the industry, chambers and legal experts for modification in the Act in line with international norms, Mr Kumar said, "If they make suggestions, we will consider it."

Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court granted bail to the Baazee.com CEO, Mr Avnish Bajaj, who was arrested in connection with the controversial case involving the sale of a sexually explicit clip on the auction site.

Mr Bajaj had moved the bail application in the High Court after the trial court had rejected his plea on December 18 and had remanded him in judicial custody till December 24.

Mr Bajaj was detained under Section 67 of the IT Act and Sections 292 and 294 of the Indian Penal Code, on charges of transmitting and selling obscene material.

His detention had sparked off a debate in the industry with leading chambers such as the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) and FICCI expressing concern over the haste in his arrest.

They also emphasised that the episode had underlined a need for significant reform in the IT Act.