The Delhi High Court on Monday (27 July) allowed the withdrawal of a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenged the suspension of mobile internet services around Jantar Mantar during student protests demanding reforms in India's education system. The matter came before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia after the protests had already been called off.
Background of the Case
The PIL was filed by Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC.in) against the Government of NCT of Delhi and other authorities. It questioned multiple orders issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs between July 17 and July 23, which directed the temporary suspension of mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar.
The petition argued that the shutdown orders violated Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. It claimed the authorities relied only on the phrases "public emergency" and "public safety" without placing objective material on record to explain why a complete suspension of mobile internet services was necessary.
Court Observation
When the matter was taken up, counsel for the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the PIL. Accepting the request, the Division Bench allowed the petition to be withdrawn.
During the proceedings, the bench recorded the request and disposed of the matter accordingly. As reflected in the court's order,
"The petition is dismissed as withdrawn."
Petitioner's Contentions
The petition had also argued that the authorities failed to examine less restrictive measures such as ordinary policing, crowd-control arrangements or targeted enforcement before imposing the internet shutdown. It further sought directions requiring all future internet suspension orders to be published at or before the time they come into force, enabling affected persons to challenge them if necessary.
The plea referred to the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 while questioning the legality of the impugned orders.
Court's Decision
The Delhi High Court permitted the petitioner to withdraw the PIL. With the withdrawal request accepted, the proceedings came to an end without any examination of the merits of the challenge to the internet suspension orders.
Case Details
Case Title: SFLC.in (Software Freedom Law Centre, India) v. Government of NCT of Delhi & Ors.
Judge: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
Decision Date: July 27, 2026
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