PUBG ban: Why 2 mnth extension, Gujarat High Court asks state

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to file a reply within 24 hours clarifying the reasons behind extending the ban on popular multi-platform game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or PUBG. The reply was sought by the division bench of Acting Chief Justice AS Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav in connection with public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a 19-year-old law student from Nirma University, Pruthvirajsinh Zala, challenging the ban on the game imposed by the Rajkot police commissioner.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Zala informed the court that the Rajkot commissioner has extended the ban imposed on the game by two months. Thus, instead of April 30, the ban will be in effect till June 30.

Following this, Justice Dave questioned the counsel for the state government on why the ban has been extended. The court remarked that earlier the government had submitted that the ban was imposed considering the impending examinations in schools, but it has been extended for two months despite the fact that examinations are already over and summer vacation has started.

The state government, which was supposed to file a reply on Wednesday, sought additional time. This irked the court, which questioned the need for providing additional time to the state government considering the fact that Rajkot commissioner's notification extending the ban is of one-page. The court, thereafter, directed the government to file its reply within 24-hours.

While the Rajkot commissioner's notification states that the game has been banned as it promotes violent behaviour, affects studies of youngsters, and is a threat to public order, the petitioner has claimed that the ban is arbitrary and is not a reasonable restriction. Zala has also contended before the court that there is no scientific evidence to prove that the game promotes violent behaviour and is a threat to public order.

Interestingly, Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) had earlier filed a PIL against the ban imposed by police authorities of various cities across Gujarat under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code and the arrest of 21 persons, mostly youngsters, for playing the game. However, the court rejected the PIL saying that the issue is not of 'public interest' and the petitioner should not waste the court's precious time.

Ban Lifted

In a late development, Rajkot police commissioner has lifted the ban on PUBG. A notification in this regard has been issued clarifying that the ban was lifted post a review and due to requests made by youngsters to lift the ban