The Kerala High Court on Thursday, September 19, held that access to internet is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution. The High Court, hence, struck down Hostel Rules enacted by Sree Narayana College, Kozhikode, Kerala which prohibited inmates of Girls hostel from using mobile devices from 6 pm to 10 pm. Besides, the rules had also prohibited undergraduate students to use laptops in hostel premises.
Besides regulating the use of the mobile phone by girls, the rules had also prohibited the use of laptops by undergraduate students in the hostel premises.
According to a Bar & Bench report, when the petitioner had approached the College Principal with the complain, the Principal had asked her to write a letter that she was unwilling to abide by the rules. The Petitioner was also asked to vacate her hostel room on a 12-hour notice.
She then approached the High Court challenging the Rules as violative of Articles 14, 19 of the Indian Constitution.
The judgment was delivered by Justice PV Asha.
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