The Delhi High Court issued notice on a plea filed by Abhijeet Dipke challenging the blocking of the X account of the “Cockroach Janta Party” and directed the Review Committee constituted under the Information Technology Rules to examine the grievance raised by the petitioner. The Court, however, declined to grant interim relief at this stage and observed that the matter involved wider issues relating to online expression and digital regulation.
The matter was heard by the High Court, which took note of submissions made by the petitioner as well as the Union Government. Senior counsel appearing for Dipke argued that the blocking order had been passed without granting the petitioner an opportunity of hearing. It was submitted that the petitioner had not been provided with the material or reasons on the basis of which the account had been withheld.
The Court observed that the issues raised would require examination after responses were filed by the authorities. While issuing notice, the Bench directed the respondents to file their counter affidavits within four weeks. The Court also referred to Rule 14 of the Information Technology Rules, which provides for a Review Committee to periodically examine blocking directions and determine whether such orders should continue or be revoked.
The Bench directed the Review Committee of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to examine all aspects raised by the petitioner before the next date of hearing. The Court granted liberty to Dipke to appear virtually before the committee and permitted him to seek authorization of representation before it. The Bench noted that if the committee found merit in the petitioner’s grievance, it had the authority to direct restoration or unblocking of the account.
During the proceedings, the petitioner argued that the “Cockroach Janta Party” was essentially a satirical online movement and that the blocking action lacked transparency. It was submitted that the petitioner was being kept unaware of the allegations or reasons behind the blocking order. Counsel argued that if there were specific contentious posts, those individual posts could remain blocked, but a blanket restriction on the account was unjustified.
The Court was informed that similar matters involving blocking of online accounts had previously come before the High Court. In response to the submissions, the Bench observed that the law relating to digital restrictions and regulatory action is still evolving and continues to be shaped through judicial scrutiny.
The proceedings also referred to the origins of the “Cockroach Janta Party,” which emerged as a satirical social media movement following remarks made during a hearing before the Supreme Court concerning unemployed youth and online activism. The movement subsequently gained substantial attention on social media platforms before its accounts were suspended or blocked.
Earlier submissions placed before the Court indicated that the blocking of the X account had allegedly been carried out pursuant to directions issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act on grounds linked to national security concerns. It was stated that intelligence inputs had been relied upon while recommending action against the account.
The petitioner contended that the movement was based on satire and online political commentary dealing with issues such as unemployment, accountability, and governance. It was argued that the suspension of the account amounted to suppression of lawful expression and digital speech.
The Court did not pass any interim order restoring the account at this stage but emphasized that the issues raised required careful consideration. By directing the statutory Review Committee to examine the matter and issuing notice to the authorities, the Court ensured that the legality and proportionality of the blocking order would be scrutinized through the process contemplated under law.
The case brings into focus the evolving legal questions surrounding online satire, digital expression, blocking powers exercised by the government, and procedural safeguards available to users whose social media accounts are restricted. The proceedings before the High Court are expected to examine the balance between state regulatory powers and freedom of expression in the digital sphere.
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