SC cautions against using online sources to resolve legal disputes

New Delhi – During the hearing of a case, a Bench of SC justices said it acknowledged the utility of the platforms that provide free access to knowledge across the globe but also cautioned against using such sources for resolving a legal dispute. The observations came in a judgment in a case regarding the correct classification of imported ‘All in One Integrated Desktop Computer’ under the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985.

Supreme Court further said Online sources such as Wikipedia are based on a crowd-sourced and user ­generated editing model that is not completely dependable and can promote misleading information. The apex Court said Courts and adjudicating authorities should endeavour to persuade counsels to rely on more reliable and authentic sources.