Delhi HC hears petition Jantar Mantar internet shutdown

A legal services organization has challenged the Indian government's repeated suspension of mobile internet services in central Delhi, filing a petition in the Delhi High Court on Friday, July 24, 2026. The Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC.In) seeks to quash six separate orders issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs between July 17 and July 23 that shut down mobile services within a 1.5-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar, where a protest has been ongoing.

The petition was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, who agreed to list it. The counsel for the petitioner requested the matter be taken up at 2:30 p.m., but the plea could not be formally listed during court hours due to procedural defects. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves is expected to represent the organization.

The legal challenge arises amid sustained demonstrations by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, which began on June 20. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of a paper leak and irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination.