Telegram has launched a legal challenge against the Indian government’s order to block the messaging app, sources confirm. The move follows allegations that the platform was used to leak sensitive exam papers, sparking a wider row over censorship and state overreach.
The ban, imposed last week under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, targeted Telegram after authorities claimed that groups on the app were systematically distributing leaked question papers for high-stakes professional exams. The government cited “urgent public safety” concerns, but critics argue the sweeping measure amounts to digital authoritarianism.
Uncovered documents obtained by this newsroom show that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued the blocking order without providing specific evidence linking Telegram’s infrastructure to the leaks. Instead, the order references “credible intelligence” of exam paper circulation, a phrase legal experts say is dangerously vague.
Telegram’s challenge, filed in the Delhi High Court, argues that the ban violates Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. The company’s submission states that the platform is merely a conduit for user content and that the government should have targeted individual channels rather than imposing a blanket prohibition.
“This is a classic case of shooting the messenger,” said a senior lawyer familiar with the case, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The government has the tools to go after specific bad actors. Instead, they’ve chosen to cut off millions of legitimate users from a vital communication tool.”
Telegram’s popularity in India has surged in recent years, with over 100 million monthly active users. It is widely used by journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens for secure messaging. The ban has disrupted everything from political organising to family chats.
Critics point to a pattern: earlier this year, the government forced Twitter to block accounts linked to farmer protests. Last month, it demanded TikTok remove content deemed “pornographic.” Now Telegram faces the same treatment.
The timing is politically sensitive. India is gearing up for a multi-phase general election, and opposition parties accuse the government of using national security pretexts to muzzle dissent. The exam leak issue, while real, they argue, is being exploited to justify a broader crackdown.
The court will hear the case next week. Meanwhile, Telegram remains blocked across major internet service providers, though users have reported workarounds via VPNs. The government has not commented publicly on the legal challenge.
For now, the battle lines are drawn. At stake is not just access to a messaging app, but the principle of whether the state can silence entire platforms based on the actions of a few. As one source put it: “They’re coming for Telegram today. Who’s next?”
