A Madras High Court bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice D Bharatha today (6 December) adjourned the hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by R Nirmal Kumar, an office-bearer of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AIADMK) IT Wing against the Fact Checking Unit (FCU) recently constituted by the state government to 10 January.

According to a report by The Hindu, the decision to adjourn the hearing was taken after the Bench was informed that the Bombay High Court, which was to deliver its verdict on a similar plea in the first week of December had not done so and it was now expected in the first week of January.

In his plea, Kumar stated that the establishment of the FCU would curb free speech. He alleged that the government had appointed a DMK supporter Iyan Karthikeyan as the Mission Director.

Further, he sought the Court to declare the G.O. establishing the FCU as unconstitutional and grant an interim injunction to restrain Karthikeyan from continuing in the post.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Fact-Check Unit: No Surprises In DIGIPUB Conveniently Looking Elsewhere