Foreign Firms Can’t Claim Free Speech Right Available to Citizens Under Article 19: Karnataka HC in X Corp Verdict

The Karnataka High Court ruled that foreign firms cannot claim the free speech rights available to Indian citizens under Article 19 of the Constitution. In the X Corp case, the Court clarified that constitutional rights are exclusive to Indian citizens, and non-citizen corporate entities operating in India cannot rely on such protections. The judgment underscores the regulatory authority of the state over foreign entities, delineates the scope of fundamental rights, and has broad implications for global tech companies regarding compliance, operational practices, and claims of constitutional protections in India.