The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected Telegram's plea challenging the Central Government's temporary ban on the messaging app ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The court delivered its verdict at 10:30 am after hearing detailed arguments from both sides, upholding the government's decision to suspend the platform in India temporarily, according to livemint.com.
Justice Tejas Karia reserved judgment on Thursday following submissions from Telegram and the Centre. The government defended the ban, citing concerns related to the NEET re-examination. Telegram had filed the plea seeking to lift the suspension, but the court dismissed the appeal, maintaining the temporary block on the app, as reported by economictimes.indiatimes.com.
This ruling is significant amid ongoing debates over digital rights and government control of online platforms in India. The decision aligns with the government's stance on regulating messaging apps during sensitive examination periods to prevent malpractice. The ban on Telegram is part of broader regulatory actions affecting digital communication ahead of major national exams, highlighting the judiciary's role in balancing security and digital freedoms.
The temporary ban on Telegram remains in effect as per the Delhi High Court's order on June 19. The government has not announced any immediate changes to the suspension, and Telegram's operations in India continue to be restricted under this ruling, according to livemint.com.