A court in New Delhi has upheld the Indian government’s temporary ban on Telegram, ruling that authorities acted lawfully in restricting access to the messaging platform to protect the integrity of a major medical entrance examination.
The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected Telegram’s attempt to overturn the order, which blocks access to the platform from June 16 to June 22.
The temporary ban was introduced after the results of India’s National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) were scrapped amid allegations that examination papers had been leaked. Authorities argued that Telegram channels were being used to distribute fake exam papers and spread misinformation ahead of a planned re-examination.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Tejas Karia said the government was legally empowered to issue directions blocking public access to Telegram.
The decision has sparked debate in India, with digital rights groups warning that it could strengthen government powers to restrict access to online platforms.
The Internet Freedom Foundation criticised the ruling, saying it established a concerning precedent with implications for online freedom beyond the current case.
Government lawyers argued that Telegram presented unique enforcement challenges due to features that allow blocked channels to be recreated easily and enable users to conceal identities through usernames and hidden phone numbers.
Telegram, which has more than 150 million users in India and counts the country as its largest market, did not immediately comment on the verdict.
Founder Pavel Durov has previously criticised the ban, arguing that it punishes legitimate users while failing to eliminate exam-related leaks.
The temporary restriction was implemented rapidly by telecom operators and technology companies, including Google and Apple, resulting in Telegram being removed from app stores and becoming inaccessible across the country.
The case represents one of the most prominent legal disputes involving a global technology platform and the government of Narendra Modi this year.
