The Supreme Court of India directed that internet facilities in Delhi must function without interruption, following allegations of a shutdown during protests on October 10, 2026. The order, issued on October 11 by Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, is part of a six-point interim ruling addressing curbs on metro services, barricades, detentions, and movement restrictions during the protests near Jantar Mantar, according to medianama.com.
The court heard that its earlier order from two days prior had been violated when internet access was completely suspended amid demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner. The Solicitor General confirmed that internet services had been restored, but the shutdown order itself was not presented to the court. The ruling emphasized that no official order under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, nor any justification or review of the shutdown, was on record during the hearing.
This marks one of the first judicial comments on the recurring mobile internet suspensions in Delhi since July, highlighting the judiciary’s concern over connectivity restrictions during public protests. The court’s insistence on unhindered internet access underscores the tension between maintaining public order and safeguarding digital rights. The ruling also addresses broader issues of free movement and access to information during civil unrest, reflecting ongoing debates about the legality and transparency of internet shutdowns in India.
The interim order was passed on October 11, 2026, by Justices Bagchi and Mohana, with the court explicitly noting the restoration of internet services following the October 10 protests. The case continues to draw attention to the application of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, in regulating internet access during emergencies in Delhi.