The Delhi High Court on Friday (29 May) issued notice to the Union Government and social media platform X on a petition filed by Abhijit Dipke, founder of the satirical online movement “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP), challenging the blocking of the party’s X account. However, the Court declined to grant immediate relief and directed the government’s Review Committee to examine the matter before the next hearing.
Background of the Case
Dipke approached the High Court after the X account of the Cockroach Janata Party was blocked following directions reportedly issued by the Central Government on national security grounds. The movement, which gained significant attention on social media, emerged after remarks made during a Supreme Court hearing that later sparked online satire and political commentary.
Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, appearing for Dipke, argued that the account was a form of satire and that the petitioner had not been provided with the blocking order or an opportunity to be heard before the action was taken.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav observed that the matter raised larger legal questions and required consideration after hearing all parties.
“The law on these kinds of aspects is still at a nascent stage,” the Court remarked during the hearing.
The judge noted that neither the petitioner nor the Court had seen the actual blocking order and said the issue would be examined after the government files its response.
Addressing the request for interim restoration of the account, the Court stated that it could not pass such an order without first hearing the Union Government.
“There are far-reaching issues. There are wider ramifications,” the Bench observed.
The Court also referred to Rule 14 of the Information Technology Rules, noting that the Review Committee is empowered to reconsider blocking directions and recommend unblocking where appropriate.
The Bench directed the Review Committee under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to examine all issues raised by the petitioner and place its decision on record before the next date of hearing.
Since Dipke is presently outside India, the Court granted him liberty to seek virtual participation before the Committee.
The Delhi High Court issued notice to the Union Government and X, granted four weeks for filing responses, and directed the Review Committee to examine the challenge to the blocking order. No interim order restoring the X account was passed.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 7.
