The ruling was followup of an appeal filed by Gaurav Sureshbhai Vyas who had opposed the Gujarat government’s decision to ban mobile internet when Hardik Patel had launched a movement last year demanding OBC status for Patels in jobs and education

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today refused to restrain states from banning mobile internet, saying that such steps are necessary to maintain law and order.

A bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice R Banumathi dismissed an appeal challenging a judgment of the Gujarat High Court which had upheld the ban on mobile internet under section 144 of CrPC during ‘Patidar agitation’ led by Hardik Patel. “It becomes very necessary sometimes for law and order. There can be concurrent powers,” the bench said, adding that “it is also necessary during the riot-like situation.” The appeal was filed by Gaurav Sureshbhai Vyas who had opposed the Gujarat government’s decision to ban mobile internet when Hardik Patel had launched a movement last year demanding OBC status for Patels in jobs and education. The High Court had in September last year rejected his PIL saying that the decision of the state government was “just and proper.” The Gujarat government had banned mobile internet services from 25 August night last year for almost a week as the Patel quota stir had turned violent. — PTI