The Delhi High Court has delivered a major setback to the messaging app Telegram by dismissing its petition against the temporary ban imposed by the Indian Central Government. The government had implemented the ban following allegations that the platform was used to leak question papers for major national exams, including the NEET exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The ban was put in place to secure the integrity of the examinations.

Telegram had strongly criticized the central government, arguing that the paper leak was a failure on the government’s part and that the platform was being unfairly blamed. Challenging the ban as unjust, Telegram filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking its immediate removal. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that the government acted within its authority under Section 69A of the IT Act and that such minor restrictions are necessary to protect the national interest and the future of students.

Also read

Lorry Driver Rescues Toddler Who Wandered Onto Busy Road in Aluva Former Child Artist Ansu Stephen Viral Photos Spark Nostalgia Among Malayalam Cinema Fans

During the hearing, the Central Government strongly opposed Telegram’s petition, describing the platform as a dark web that provides a safe haven for criminals and fraudsters to commit serious cybercrimes without any social accountability. The government also cited a report from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination agency, which highlighted that Telegram lacks the necessary technical infrastructure to secure ordinary users’ data, making communication on the platform unsafe. Accepting these arguments, the Delhi High Court dismissed Telegram’s plea.