On August 19, the Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to clarify if Internet Service Providers (ISPs) failing to block pornographic content misusing actor and Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan’s name can be de-registered. The court reviewed non-compliance with a November 2025 order to block such content, highlighting ongoing accessibility despite the directive, according to medianama.com.
During the hearing, Bachchan’s counsel informed the court that objectionable material remained online months after the ex parte order dated November 10, 2025. MeitY and DoT confirmed that ISPs were not enforcing the blocking order, prompting Justice Jyoti Singh to express concern over the ISPs’ disregard for court orders and government directives. The judge suggested that de-registration of defaulting ISPs could serve as a deterrent to others, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.
This case underscores challenges in enforcing court orders on digital content regulation in India. The court’s consideration of de-registration is a rare step reflecting frustration with ISPs’ non-compliance. It also highlights the legal complexities around personality rights and online content control, especially when public figures are involved. The move could set a precedent for stricter accountability of ISPs in similar cases.
The Delhi High Court’s next hearing will focus on MeitY and DoT’s response regarding the potential de-registration of ISPs, marking a critical juncture in the enforcement of digital content regulations tied to personality rights, as reported by medianama.com.