The Delhi High Court has approved a request to withdraw a public interest litigation that challenged the suspension of mobile internet services during student protests in the Jantar Mantar area. A judicial bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia closed the case on July 27, 2026, without examining its legal merits.
Background of the legal dispute
The lawsuit against the Delhi administration was initiated by the Software Freedom Law Centre. The organization challenged directives issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs between July 17 and July 23, which temporarily cut off mobile internet access within a 1.5-kilometer radius of the student demonstrations demanding educational reforms.
The petitioners challenged the authorities' actions, arguing they infringed upon constitutional rights to equality, freedom of expression, and personal liberty. They contended that the government relied on vague terminology regarding public safety and emergencies without presenting objective evidence to justify a total internet shutdown.
Arguments and the court's final ruling
The petition also highlighted that officials failed to explore less restrictive measures, such as standard policing or crowd management. Citing the Telecommunications Act of 2023 and the 2024 temporary suspension rules, the plaintiffs sought a mandate for advance publication of future shutdown orders, but their counsel ultimately requested to withdraw the case, leading to its dismissal.
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