Government Defends Temporary Telegram Ban in Delhi High Court

The Central government has presented its case to the Delhi High Court, asserting that the instant messaging service Telegram is becoming a hub for criminal activities akin to the dark web. This statement was part of a formal affidavit opposing Telegram’s petition against the government’s decision to temporarily suspend its operations in India. The suspension is intended to last until June 22, coinciding with the re-examination period for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test undergraduate (NEET-UG).

In the affidavit, the government claims, “Telegram has become the new dark web, linking threat actors.” It further elaborates that criminals have been using Telegram to share links that connect to dark web forums, complicating efforts by authorities to track and identify these illegal activities. The decision to restrict Telegram is primarily driven by concerns that the platform was utilized by organized cheating networks involved in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the exam initially held in May 2026.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) issued a directive under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, limiting access to Telegram in India until June 22. Furthermore, another order mandated the temporary disabling of the message-editing feature until June 30 for messages already posted on the platform. This measure is deemed crucial to maintain the integrity of the upcoming re-examination scheduled for June 21.

The authorities have pointed out that Telegram channels have been used to circulate leaked or counterfeit question papers, coordinate fraudulent activities, and manipulate message timestamps through the platform’s editing capabilities. In response, Telegram filed a writ petition arguing that the total blocking of the app is both impermissible and unconstitutional. The company claims to have removed over 900 links associated with illegal NEET content and has implemented artificial intelligence, machine learning tools, and manual moderation to monitor and curb violations.

The Central government, in its response to Telegram’s petition, highlighted the presence of a Telegram channel named “Neet Mafia,” which had approximately 18,617 subscribers. This channel was actively sharing content related to alleged NEET examination paper leaks, advance booking arrangements, payment collection methods, and assurances of access to examination-related material.

The affidavit suggests that the existence of such a channel underscores Telegram’s capability to enable mass dissemination of unlawful examination-related content to thousands of users simultaneously. The government notes that Telegram’s cloud-based architecture allows the transfer of large volumes of content, with groups accommodating up to 200,000 members and public channels reaching virtually unlimited audiences, thereby amplifying the spread of any illegal content.

Moreover, the platform’s use of bots and usernames instead of phone numbers reportedly facilitates anonymity, making it attractive for criminal activities. The affidavit lists various illegal activities associated with Telegram, including drug trafficking, terrorism, child exploitation, and cyber scams.

The government further contends that extremist and radical content is being propagated through Telegram groups and channels linked to terrorist organizations, aiming to spread misinformation and destabilize public order. Additionally, the platform is allegedly used for distributing Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM), pirated content, and accessing citizens’ personal data, including mobile numbers and Aadhaar details.

The affidavit emphasizes that when unlawful content becomes rampant, blocking the intermediary entirely becomes the only feasible option. This action is necessary to uphold the integrity of the NEET re-examination and avoid potential student unrest, disruption of public order, and incitement to cognizable offenses, as outlined under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

The case is currently being heard by a Bench led by Justice Tejas Karia, with Telegram’s petition filed by advocate Madhav Khosla.