India Investigates Telecoms Over Website Blocks from Forged Court Orders

NEW DELHI: India has initiated an inquiry into the actions of telecom officials who blocked numerous websites based on fraudulent court orders, as police pursue a criminal investigation into the matter, officials confirmed on Thursday.

This year, a division of the telecoms ministry instructed internet service providers to block 129 illegal betting websites. However, a recent investigation by Reuters revealed that these directives were founded on forged court orders purportedly issued by two state high courts, which were sent to officials by alleged fraudsters impersonating lawyers.

The revelations have sparked significant concerns regarding the integrity of India’s content-takedown system, raising alarms that legitimate websites could be unjustly blocked using falsified legal documents. This incident underscores the vulnerabilities within the regulatory framework governing internet content in India.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to review ministry records and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The outcome of this inquiry may lead to reforms in the procedures for website takedowns, ensuring that such actions are based on verified legal documentation.