Telangana HC Sets Aside X User Data Notice After Finding No Reference to Petitioner in FIR

The Telangana High Court has restrained coercive action against a petitioner after finding that the FIR relied upon by the police did not refer to him in any manner. The Court also found, prima facie, no basis for issuing a notice to X (formerly Twitter) seeking his account and device-related information.

Background of the Case

Justice Tangirala Madhavi Devi was hearing Writ Petition No. 26326 of 2026, filed by P. Rajgopal against the State of Telangana and police authorities. The petition challenged a notice dated August 6, 2026, issued under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

The notice addressed to X sought information including the petitioner's basic user details, registration particulars, linked mobile number and email ID, device details and IP logs in connection with Crime No. 404 of 2026 registered at Falaknuma Police Station, Hyderabad.

The petitioner argued that his X account details were already mentioned in the notice and that the FIR did not name him as an accused. He apprehended that the information request could be used to implicate him in the case without a proper basis. The State opposed the relief sought.

Court's Observation

After examining the FIR filed along with the writ petition, the High Court found that there was “no reference to the petitioner in any way.” The Court therefore formed the prima facie view that there was no basis for issuing the Section 94 BNSS notice to X in relation to the petitioner.

The Court's finding was confined to the material before it, particularly the absence of any reference to the petitioner in the FIR.

Decision

In its August 7, 2026 order, the High Court set aside the impugned notice to the extent that it treated the petitioner as being involved in Crime No. 404 of 2026.

The respondents were directed not to take any coercive steps against P. Rajgopal without a basis and without following due process of law. The writ petition was accordingly disposed of, with no order as to costs. Pending miscellaneous petitions were also closed.