Maharashtra Government Forms High-Level Committee to Curb Social Media Defamation

A high-level committee led by the Director General of Police has been established to study legal amendments or new provisions to prevent evidence-free defamation on social media platforms.

MUMBAI | 09 May, 2026: In a significant move to regulate the digital landscape, the Maharashtra state government has initiated a formal process to bring social media defamation under stricter legal scrutiny. The government has constituted a high-level committee, chaired by the State Director General of Police (DGP), to evaluate current laws and recommend necessary reforms or the introduction of a new legal framework to curb the spread of baseless and defamatory content online.

The primary objective of this committee is to address the legal vacuum created following the repeal of Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. While the state aims to introduce deterrents against character assassination and misinformation, officials have emphasized that these recommendations will be crafted with extreme caution to ensure they do not infringe upon the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, as protected by various judicial directives. The committee’s mandate includes exploring whether a dedicated state-level law is feasible or if amendments to existing statutes can effectively address the evolving challenges of the cyber world.

The composition of this panel reflects a multi-departmental approach to digital safety. Along with the DGP, the committee includes the Principal Secretaries of the Law and Judiciary Department, Information Technology Department, and the Women and Child Development Department. The Additional Director General of Police for the Maharashtra State Cyber Cell will serve as the member secretary. This diverse leadership ensures that technical, legal, and social welfare perspectives are all considered in the legislative drafting process.

The committee has been granted the authority to consult with external legal and technical experts to ensure the proposed regulations are robust and contemporary. A detailed report outlining the recommended legislative changes must be submitted to the Home Department within three months. By seeking a balance between digital accountability and constitutional rights, the state government hopes to create a safer online environment where individuals are protected from unverified and malicious digital campaigns.

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