The Software Freedom Law Centre withdrew its public interest litigation challenging the mobile internet shutdown around Jantar Mantar. The court dismissed the petition as withdrawn after protests ended and services were restored.

Key Takeaways

  • SFLC withdrew its petition from the Delhi High Court.
  • Internet shutdown within 1.5 km of Jantar Mantar was lifted.
  • The shutdown was deemed illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional.

On July 27, 2026, the Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC.In) withdrew its public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Delhi High Court that challenged the Ministry of Home Affairs’ orders to suspend mobile internet services around Jantar Mantar. The bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia recorded the petition as “dismissed as withdrawn.”

The shutdown orders, issued on July 17, 20, 22 and 23, were a response to the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest that began on June 20, demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Following Pradhan’s resignation on July 25 and the government’s acceptance of several CJP demands, internet services in central Delhi were restored, prompting SFLC to pull its legal challenge.

SFLC argued that the temporary suspension of mobile internet was “one of the most extraordinary coercive powers conferred upon the Executive,” infringing Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution. The petition labeled the orders “illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional,” noting the lack of a declared public emergency or proportional justification.

Historical Background

Jantar Mantar has long been a symbolic site for mass movements in Delhi. In 2026, the CJP’s month‑long agitation highlighted concerns over exam paper leaks and political accountability, leading the government to resort to a series of internet shutdowns—a tactic increasingly used across India.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that withdrawing the petition underscores a rare judicial acknowledgment of the delicate balance between national security narratives and constitutional freedoms. This development could reshape legal standards for future internet shutdowns in India.

"Internet shutdowns should be a last resort, justified only by clear, imminent threats; otherwise they erode democratic freedoms," said digital rights expert Dr. Anjali Gupta.
Did You Know?: India has recorded 57 internet shutdowns by 2025, one of the highest counts globally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Could another internet shutdown be imposed around Jantar Mantar in the future?

A: Only if the government can demonstrably prove a severe public emergency or national security threat.

Q2: Does withdrawing the petition set a legal precedent?

A: The decision may serve as a reference point for future judicial reviews of shutdown orders.