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* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ W.P.(CRL) 4268/2025 & CRL.M.A. 38409-10/2025

SIDDHANT KOCHAR .....Petitioner

Through: Mr. Sarthak Maggon, Adv.

versus

UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents

Through: Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, ASC for State

with Mr. Arjit Sharma and Ms. Sakshi

Jha, Advs. with SI Naresh Kumar, PS.

Cyber East.

Ms. Nidhi Raman, CGSC with Mr.

Arnav Mittal, GP with Mr. Akash

Mishra, Mr. Arnav Mittal and Mr.

Om Ram, Advs. for R-1/UOI.

Ms. Amee Rana, Mr. Akhil

Shandilya, Ms. Radhika Roy and Ms.

Varsha Jhavar, Advs. for R-3.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKAS MAHAJAN

O R D E R

% 22.12.2025

CRL.M.A. 38411/2025 (exemption)

1. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

2. Application stands disposed of.

W.P.(CRL) 4268/2025

3. The present petition has been filed seeking following relief:

A. That this Hon’ble Court issue an appropriate writ directing

Respondent No. 1 to frame and lay down guidelines in exercise of

its powers under Section 79(2)(c) read with Section 87(2)(zg) of the

Information Technology Act to ensure that censorship or disabling

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/01/2026 at 01:40:51

of social media accounts is carried out only in accordance with

Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution, and that complaints of

cyber bullying, harassment, identity theft, and malicious reporting

are effectively investigated and forwarded to competent police

stations.

B. That this Hon’ble Court issue an appropriate writ directing

Respondent No. 2 to investigate and take appropriate action

through due process against individuals responsible for unlawful

reporting, cyber harassment, and malicious takedown requests, and

to register FIRs where necessary.

C. That this Hon’ble Court issue an appropriate writ directing

Respondent No. 3 to immediately restore the Petitioner’s Instagram

and Facebook accounts and not suspend or disable the same in

future without following the principles of natural justice, including

prior notice, disclosure of alleged violations, and opportunity of

response.

4. At the oustet, Mr. Sarthak Maggon, learned counsel for the petitioner

fairly states that he is not pressing for prayer clause (a) in the present

petition.

5. Essentially, the grievance of the petitioner in the present petition is

with regard to suspension of petitioner’s Instagram and Facebook account

on different dates, and non-investigation of the same by respondent no.3.

6. Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, learned ASC for the State/respondent no.2, on

instructions, submits that the petitioner is stated to have made a complaint

before the Grievance Officer of respondent no.3.

7. Ms. Amee Rana, learned counsel for respondent no.3 submits that in

case the petitioner will share the registration number of his complaint along

with Facebook URL, the grievance of the petitioner will be looked into. The

statement of respondent no.3 is taken on record and it shall remain bound by

the same.

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/01/2026 at 01:40:51

8. Mr. Maggon submits that he will do the needful.

9. In view of the above statement, no further orders are pressed by Mr.

Maggon at this stage.

10. The petition stands disposed of.

VIKAS MAHAJAN, J

DECEMBER 22, 2025/dss

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 20/01/2026 at 01:40:51