Temporary ban on Telegram remains intact, Delhi High Court upheld Central Government’s decision

New Delhi, June 19. Before the NEET re-exam, Delhi High Court has justified the government’s decision of temporary ban on Telegram app platform. On Friday, the High Court also rejected Telegram’s petition filed against the temporary ban. The single bench of Justice Tejas Karia of Delhi High Court gave its decision on Telegram’s petition on Friday. Justice Tejas Karia said, “The government’s order is correct. Any platform can be banned under Section 69A of the IT Act.”

The government has imposed a temporary ban on Telegram till June 22 due to the apprehension of cases related to paper leaks and organized cheating gangs in the exams. There were concerns that it was being used by organized cheating networks involved in the NEET-UG controversy. The government decided to ban it after the original NEET exam was canceled following allegations of massive paper leaks and irregularities. Besides, an order was given to stop the facility of editing already sent messages till June 30.

These restrictions were imposed on the basis of instructions issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, following the recommendations of the National Testing Agency (NTA). However, Telegram opposed the government’s decision and challenged it in the Delhi High Court. On behalf of Telegram, it was said in the court that the law does not provide for such discrimination. Describing the central government’s order as suffering from legal flaws, Telegram said the committee had unanimously recommended confirming the interim directive.

The central government defended the decision, saying that due to Telegram’s architecture and its repeated misuse in exam-related fraud cases, authorities were left with no other option but to use emergency blocking powers. In an affidavit, the Center said, “This decision was taken only after exhausting all other options, including repeated requests for specific removal of illegal content, which were found inadequate.” After hearing both the sides, the Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved its decision in the case. During the hearing on Friday, the High Court upheld the decision and rejected Telegram’s petition.