Flipkart is going to face a legal trouble for weapons being
allegedly sold on its marketplace. According to various media reports,
its confirmed that the weapon used in Aurangabad riots in
May brought through Flipkart. Also, a case has been registered against the
e-commerce company. It is important to note that Flipkart is a marketplace where
third-party sellers can list their products for sale.
According
to media reports, Aurangabad police had seized 28 weapons like swords,
choppers, knives, kukris, guptis, etc, which were purchased from Flipkart. The
weapons were bought online and were delivered from Amritsar through courier
company called Estacort Services Pvt Ltd. According to Arms Act 1959, possession
and sale of illegal arms is a cognizable offence.
So far as Flipkart hasn’t issued any statement
on said allegation.
Oṇline
weapons online and Intermediary Liability
Early this year 12 persons were reportedly jailed
in Hyderabad for buying swords and daggers from Snapdeal and posting pics
of weapons on social media. The task force also recommended action against
Snapdeal.
Section
79 of the Information Technology Act offers safe harbour to intermediaries,
provided they address complaints received and do not knowingly allow the usage
of their platform to break the law. However, as we have pointed out several
times earlier there is a need for better understanding of the responsibility,
accountability and liability of platforms, marketplaces and aggregators.
There’s no doubt that online aggregators and marketplaces are good for
consumers and competition. But then who is accountable, when things get messed
up? And what about the liability of these platforms?
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