Delhi violence: State Assembly issues 'last notice' to Facebook over no-show at hearing

Issuing a 'final tice' to Facebook after its representatives failed to appear before Delhi Assembly, committee chief Raghav Chadha observed that social media giant's refusal to appear is an attempt to conceal crucial facts in case. Peace and Harmony Committee of Delhi Assembly had sent a summons to Facebook India Chief Ajit Mohan on Saturday over its alleged role in rast Delhi riots in February this year. Chadha added that n-appearance of Facebook was t only contempt but also an 'insult' of 2 crore people of national capital. 

READ | Delhi Assembly Summons Facebook India Chief Over 'inaction' Against Hateful Content

'Last chance to Facebook'

"As per principle of natural justice, we should give last chance to Facebook vice president and managing director to appear before committee. Still, if he does t come, committee will t desist from using all its powers including coercive steps," Committee's chief, Raghav Chadha said. 

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"Facebook's letter is in disregard of committee's privilege. Facebook's refusal to appear before committee is an attempt to conceal crucial facts in relation to its role in Delhi riots. It shows that Facebook has something to hide...I feel that legal advisors of Facebook India have given m wrong advice," Chadha added. 

social media giant had replied to Assembly's summon and urged it to recall summon. " regulation of intermediaries like Facebook fall within exclusive authority of Union of India. Given that matters are under consideration by Parliament, we object to tice and request you to recall it," Facebook India had said in a response to summon.

READ | 'Ugly Nexus Exposed': Congress Reiterates 'BJP-Facebook Link' Claim, Demands JPC Probe

Ajit Mohan appears before IT panel

Earlier this month, Ajit Mohan had appeared before a parliamentary panel called to discuss alleged "misuse of social media platforms", against backdrop of larger row over social-media platform's hate-speech policy. Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Techlogy was convened to hear Facebook's views on subject of "safeguarding citizens' rights" along with "prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms"; including special emphasis on women security in digital , as per nda of meeting. It was headed by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor along with representatives of Ministry of Electronics and Information Techlogy. 

READ | Parliamentary I-T Committee To Hear Facebook Officials On Sep 2 On Preventing Its Misuse