HC stays CCA's order imposing fine of Rs 11 lakh on Yahoo

The Delhi High Court today stayed an order of the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) directing Yahoo India to pay Rs 11 lakh as penalty for its failure to provide information about some persons including their e-mail IDs.

A bench of Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also directed Yahoo India to furnish the requisite information within a week.

The court's direction came on a plea of Yahoo India challenging the CCA's order to pay Rs 11 lakh as fine and also issuing warning for not providing information sought by it which was for national security purpose.

The government had sought some information, on the grounds of national security from CCA about some individuals including their e-mail IDs. The CCA asked Yahoo India to furnish the details.

However, Yahoo India failed to provide the information for which it was fined by CCA under Section 28 of the Information Technology (IT) Act. The authority also issued warning to Yahoo India, CCA said.

Appearing for Yahoo, former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium said the firm had complied with the provision of Section 69 of the IT Act and had provided the information.

However, it was opposed by CCA saying that it had asked for collection of information but Section 69 only deals with monitoring.

Yahoo also said that CCA is not authorised to impose fine or penalty.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on November 8.