X Tells Delhi High Court That Fake Police Orders Sought Takedown of Digital Rights Groups' Accounts
New Delhi, November 6, 2026: Social media platform X Corp (formerly Twitter) has informed the Delhi High Court that purported police requests seeking the removal of the accounts of two prominent digital rights organisations, Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and Software Freedom Law Centre India (SFLC.in), were fraudulent and had been submitted by an individual impersonating Delhi Police officials.
The submission was made before Justice Amit Mahajan during the hearing of petitions filed by the two organisations challenging the authenticity and legality of the takedown requests.
What Triggered the Dispute?
According to the petitions, IFF and SFLC.in received communications purportedly issued on behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), raising objections to their activities relating to documenting and publicising instances of online censorship.
Subsequently, X informed the organisations that it had received illegal content reports allegedly submitted by the Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), Delhi Police. These reports sought the removal of certain posts and the blocking of the organisations' entire accounts, citing grounds including defamation, safety and security, and alleged violations of Indian law.
The requests reportedly invoked Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with criminal defamation, and sought action against specified URLs within a short compliance period.
X's Internal Investigation Reveals Impersonation
During the proceedings, counsel appearing for X Corp informed the Court that an internal investigation had established that the requests were submitted by an individual impersonating Delhi Police officials.
X clarified that the notices had not originated from Delhi Police and that it had not taken any action against the accounts of IFF and SFLC.in pursuant to those requests. The company further informed the Court that it had lodged a complaint with Delhi Police to identify and investigate the impersonator.
Delhi Police, represented by the Central Government Standing Counsel, also clarified before the Court that it had not issued the purported takedown requests.
Delhi High Court Disposes of the Petitions
Taking note of X Corp's submissions, Justice Amit Mahajan disposed of the petitions. The proceedings concluded after the platform confirmed that the requests were not genuine and that no action had been taken against the petitioning organisations.
Legal Significance
The incident raises important concerns about the authenticity of law-enforcement communications submitted to social media intermediaries and the potential misuse of legal and regulatory mechanisms to restrict online expression.
It also highlights the importance of verification procedures before digital platforms act upon purported government takedown requests, particularly where such requests could affect freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
The matter underscores the need for transparency, accountability and safeguards against impersonation in the digital content regulation process.
Source: The Indian Express, November 6, 2026; Reuters; LiveLaw.