Delhi High Court Requests Government’s Input on Telegram’s Ban Challenge Ahead of NEET Re-Examination

The Delhi High Court has called upon the Union government to respond to a petition lodged by Telegram, a popular messaging service, contesting the restrictions placed on its operations in India. The court’s directive comes ahead of the Nationwide Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) re-examination, which is scheduled to occur on June 22. Justice Tejas Karia has mandated that the government submit its response by Thursday, with the case set to be revisited later in the day at 2.30 PM.

The restrictions, imposed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, bar access to Telegram until after the NEET-UG exam concludes. Additionally, the ministry has mandated that Telegram disable its message-editing feature until June 30. This decision arose from allegations that the feature was manipulated to create false evidence of examination leaks, a claim made by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which oversees the NEET examinations.

The NEET-UG examination was originally conducted on May 3 but was annulled due to widespread allegations of a paper leak. In light of this controversy, the government has taken precautionary measures to ensure the integrity of the upcoming re-examination. During the court hearing, Justice Karia sought clarification on the nature and extent of the purported illicit activities reported on Telegram, emphasizing that all digital services are susceptible to misuse.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, argued in favor of the government’s stance, indicating the necessity of these measures to uphold examination security. While the court did not grant Telegram any interim relief at this stage, the case highlights the ongoing tension between digital communication platforms and regulatory bodies, particularly in the context of critical examinations that shape the futures of thousands of students.

The implications of this case extend beyond Telegram, reflecting broader issues of digital privacy and the government’s role in monitoring online platforms. As the NEET-UG re-exam approaches, stakeholders from various sectors, including education and technology, are closely watching how this legal battle unfolds.

Source: scroll.in