LAHORE: WhatsApp group liability does not automatically apply to members or administrators unless they upload, forward or share unlawful material, the Lahore High Court has ruled.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh issued the ruling in a 13-page judgment while dismissing the post-arrest bail plea of Syed Abdul Mannan in a case involving the alleged circulation of offensive content.
The court said criminal responsibility in digital communication cases must depend on each individual’s specific role. It held that mere association with a WhatsApp group was not enough to establish guilt.
The judgment said silence in a group or administrator status did not, by itself, create criminal liability.
It said liability arose only when a person actively shared, uploaded or forwarded objectionable content.
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The court referred to a technical analysis report submitted by the Federal Investigation Agency. It said the evidence available at this stage was sufficient to refuse bail to the accused.
The Lahore High Court dismissed Mannan’s post-arrest bail application and directed the trial court to complete proceedings as early as possible to ensure timely justice.
