Delhi HC Reserves Verdict on Telegram Ban Over NEET Exam

During the course of the hearing, the government had justified its decision to ban the app, citing the existence of an 18,000-member Telegram channel and concerns about features like the backdate edit functionality.

Government Cites Exam Malpractice Concerns

On behalf of the Union Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Attorney General R Venkataramani told the Court that Telegram’s plea against the temporary ban was misdirected. They stated that blocking the platform was crucial to uphold the credibility of a nation-level examination.

SG Tushar Mehta said that the order to block Telegram was passed as per due procedure and reviewed by a committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary. It has come to our notice that Telegram is used for a lot of malpractice related to examinations. We have substantial material to show the misuse of the platform, he stated. He added that the court should not ignore the larger public interest.

Government Highlights Lack of Filtering Methods

Replying to Telegram's assertion that other similar apps haven't been restricted, AG R Venkataramani pointed out that Telegram's issue was separate as the other intermediaries have their own filtering and moderating mechanisms. This platform doesn’t, he clarified.

“We have not touched any other intermediary. They are more powerful, but we have not acted against them because they have their own filtration method,” SG Tushar Mehta said.

Telegram Opposes Suspension Order

Defending the messaging service, Senior Advocate Dhruv Mehta argued that the ban was disproportionate. He stated that ‘a section of the user base’ allegedly using the service for such nefarious purposes shouldn't affect the entire service used by others in the country. He further informed the court that Telegram has always been ‘cooperative and responsive’. The authorities have not even demonstrated how a blanket suspension of the platform was required, he said.

After a lengthy hearing which featured arguments from Telegram as well as the Centre, Justice Tejas Karia reserved his judgment in the matter pertaining to Telegram’s challenge to the blocking order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.