HC Backs Telegram Ban: Delhi High Court Backs Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re Examination

HC Backs Telegram Ban: The Delhi High Court has upheld the Centre’s decision to restrict access to Telegram ahead of the upcoming NEET re examination, observing that the move was reasonable under the prevailing circumstances.

Hearing a petition challenging the restriction, the court noted that governments are empowered to take urgent measures when exceptional situations arise. It stated that no fault could be found with the action taken by the Centre in the interest of maintaining the integrity of the examination process.

The court further observed that the government had followed the procedure prescribed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act while implementing the restriction. Ensuring transparency and credibility in a major national examination, it said, is also part of the government’s responsibility.

The issue gained significance after allegations surfaced that the NEET question paper had been leaked before the examination. Reports suggesting that exam related content was circulating through certain Telegram channels added to concerns about the fairness of the test.

Following the controversy, the Centre decided to conduct a re examination and temporarily suspended access to Telegram before the scheduled test. Officials maintained that the objective was to prevent the spread of leaked material and curb misleading information that could affect candidates.

NEET is one of the most competitive entrance examinations in the country, attracting more than 20 lakh aspirants every year. Given the scale of the examination and the concerns raised over its conduct, the court concluded that the government’s precautionary action was justified in the larger public interest.