Delhi High Court reserves verdict on Telegram's plea against India-wide block
The Delhi High Court reserved its judgment on Telegram's plea challenging a government order blocking the platform in India. The Centre argued that Telegram's architecture enables cybercrime and the circulation of leaked examination papers, while the company said the move is disproportionate and affects around 150 million users.
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(Photo Credit : A woman poses for a photo while holding a smartphone next to a screen showing the crossed logo of Telegram messaging app against the backdrop of the Russian state flag, in this illustration taken February 12, 2026. REUTERS)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday, June 18, reserved its judgment on Telegram's plea challenging a government order blocking the messaging platform in India.
During the hearing, the Centre defended the blocking order, arguing that Telegram cannot invoke the principle of proportionality if it is unable to ensure accountability on its platform.
According to the Centre, Telegram has consistently failed to take adequate measures to prevent misuse of its services. The government said the platform provides bot infrastructure capable of disseminating content and sending bulk communications at scale, which can be exploited for activities such as circulating leaked examination papers, including those related to the NEET examination.
The Centre also told the court it would place "shocking" material on record to justify the emergency blocking order.
Telegram opposed the government's position, arguing that the order amounts to "throwing the baby out with the bathwater".
The company said the block affects around 150 million legitimate users in India and maintained that authorities have the power to remove specific channels, bots and content under the Information Technology Rules rather than block the entire platform.
Telegram further submitted that it had already complied with government directions to remove identified channels linked to the alleged NEET paper leak.
The Dubai-based company is seeking an interim stay on the blocking order, arguing that the government's action is disproportionate and has widespread consequences for millions of users.
The court had issued notice to the Centre and sought its response earlier but did not grant immediate relief to Telegram.
The platform remains blocked until June 22, a day after the scheduled NEET-UG re-test.
India is Telegram's largest market, with the company claiming more than 150 million users in the country.
Meanwhile, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the government's decision in a post on X. He argued that paper leaks have become a multi-billion-rupee business that benefits influential interests and called for systemic reforms to address the root causes of the problem.
During the hearing, the Centre defended the blocking order, arguing that Telegram cannot invoke the principle of proportionality if it is unable to ensure accountability on its platform.
The government described Telegram as a "Frankenstein" and contended that its architecture creates unique risks for cybercrime. It argued that no other platform had been subjected to similar action because Telegram's design allows sophisticated criminal networks to operate with minimal human oversight.
According to the Centre, Telegram has consistently failed to take adequate measures to prevent misuse of its services. The government said the platform provides bot infrastructure capable of disseminating content and sending bulk communications at scale, which can be exploited for activities such as circulating leaked examination papers, including those related to the NEET examination.
The Centre also told the court it would place "shocking" material on record to justify the emergency blocking order.
Telegram opposed the government's position, arguing that the order amounts to "throwing the baby out with the bathwater".
The company said the block affects around 150 million legitimate users in India and maintained that authorities have the power to remove specific channels, bots and content under the Information Technology Rules rather than block the entire platform.
Telegram further submitted that it had already complied with government directions to remove identified channels linked to the alleged NEET paper leak.
The Dubai-based company is seeking an interim stay on the blocking order, arguing that the government's action is disproportionate and has widespread consequences for millions of users.
The court had issued notice to the Centre and sought its response earlier but did not grant immediate relief to Telegram.
The platform remains blocked until June 22, a day after the scheduled NEET-UG re-test.
India is Telegram's largest market, with the company claiming more than 150 million users in the country.
Meanwhile, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the government's decision in a post on X. He argued that paper leaks have become a multi-billion-rupee business that benefits influential interests and called for systemic reforms to address the root causes of the problem.
(Edited by : Prashant)
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