India, July 14 -- The supreme court on Monday said that citizens must know the value of freedom of speech and expression and observe self regulation.

"The citizens must know the value of the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. The State can step in case of violations. Nobody wants the State to step in (sic)," Justice Nagarathna said.

The statement, appearing to be aimed towards regulating offensive posts on social media, was made while a bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan was hearing a plea of Wazahat Khan, whose complaint, for allegedly making communal remarks in a video, led to influencer Sharmistha Panoli's arrest on May 30.

Khan himself, is also booked in FIRs in several states, includin...