The Union government on Thursday (June 18, 2026) submitted before the Delhi High Court that the messaging platform Telegram has evolved into the “new dark web”, arguing that its architecture and privacy features have made it a preferred tool for cybercriminals, fraud networks, extremist and terror groups, and operators involved in examination paper leaks.
The government’s submissions relied heavily on an Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) assessment that the platform is a growing hub for illicit online activity.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government during the hearing of Telegram’s petition challenging the temporary ban imposed in India until June 22, 2026 under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET (UG) examination, told the court that the enterprise behind the messaging app had been repeatedly asked to proactively monitor and curb illegal and suspicious channels on the platform. However, Mr. Mehta said, the company failed to take any meaningful action.
“Telegram has become the new dark web, linking threat actors. Criminals have rapidly adopted Telegram to post links on channels that connect to dark web forums through deep web links, making it hard for authorities to track and attribute criminals,” he said.
The Centre’s affidavit also details how Telegram is allegedly used by cyber threat actors to coordinate attacks, distribute malware, and facilitate financial crime. It is alleged that Telegram channels host marketplaces for rented and mule bank accounts used in money laundering and cyber fraud. Such channels enable criminals to exchange information on bank accounts, UPI handles, and cryptocurrency conversion mechanisms while, due to the interface, it remains difficult for the police to track them because new channels emerge continuously.
“The entire population of a channel, around a lakh, can be moved to another channel in seconds. This is unique to Telegram and poses a serious risk,” the Solicitor General said.
To support its claims, the Centre pointed to a sharp rise in cybercrime complaints linked to Telegram. Data placed before the court show that complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal involving Telegram increased from 75,688 in 2023 to 2.75 lakh in 2025, with reported fraud amounts crossing ₹3,000 crore in 2025. In 2026, by May over 88,000 such complaints had already been recorded.
“In Telegram, one account can create 40 bots. In WhatsApp it’s one bot per user,” Mr. Mehta said, citing an I4C report. The platform operates through the cloud infrastructure and hence those who commit crime cannot be tracked, he said.
The Centre has also linked Telegram to the dissemination of extremist content. It told the court that channels associated with radical groups use the platform to circulate propaganda, misinformation, and material intended to destabilise public order.
“Other countries have taken action on Telegram for terror activities being done on the platform. We have a list of such actions and countries,” he said.
A Bench of Justice Tejas Kataria scrutinised the government’s justification for a platform-wide restriction, even as it acknowledged concerns about examination malpractice and cybercrime.
“How can we stop the rights of 150 million people just because one set of citizens are appearing in examinations?” Justice Tejas Karia said, while hearing submissions from both sides.
“When riots happened and Internet services remained suspended in an area where there are just 10% miscreants and the rest are common public, we cannot avoid such bans when law and order is concerned,” Mr. Mehta said in response.
Since Telegram has a feature that allows date and time to be edited, the app could be misused in a NEET exam, he said. “In 2024, this has happened. The question paper was posted after the exam was conducted, but they edited date to previous day of exam, and then students were protesting on roads alleging that the paper was leaked. We want to avoid such a law and order situation as this time some 22 lakh students are taking the exam,” Mr. Mehta said.
Senior advocate Dhruv Mehta, appearing for Telegram, said that the government had failed to justify the use of emergency powers, and had not demonstrated why specific content could not be blocked, instead of disabling access to the entire platform.
“The order says it is in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India. An examination like NEET will affect the sovereignty and integrity of India? What is the application of mind?” he said.
The Bench, however, noted the seriousness of the examination leak allegations. The judgment has been reserved.
Published – June 18, 2026 03:57 pm IST
The Union government on Thursday (June 18, 2026) submitted before the Delhi High Court that the messaging platform Telegram has evolved into the “new dark web”, arguing that its architecture and privacy features have made it a preferred tool for cybercriminals, fraud networks, extremist and terror groups, and operators involved in examination paper leaks.
The government’s submissions relied heavily on an Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) assessment that the platform is a growing hub for illicit online activity.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government during the hearing of Telegram’s petition challenging the temporary ban imposed in India until June 22, 2026 under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET (UG) examination, told the court that the enterprise behind the messaging app had been repeatedly asked to proactively monitor and curb illegal and suspicious channels on the platform. However, Mr. Mehta said, the company failed to take any meaningful action.
“Telegram has become the new dark web, linking threat actors. Criminals have rapidly adopted Telegram to post links on channels that connect to dark web forums through deep web links, making it hard for authorities to track and attribute criminals,” he said.
The Centre’s affidavit also details how Telegram is allegedly used by cyber threat actors to coordinate attacks, distribute malware, and facilitate financial crime. It is alleged that Telegram channels host marketplaces for rented and mule bank accounts used in money laundering and cyber fraud. Such channels enable criminals to exchange information on bank accounts, UPI handles, and cryptocurrency conversion mechanisms while, due to the interface, it remains difficult for the police to track them because new channels emerge continuously.
“The entire population of a channel, around a lakh, can be moved to another channel in seconds. This is unique to Telegram and poses a serious risk,” the Solicitor General said.
To support its claims, the Centre pointed to a sharp rise in cybercrime complaints linked to Telegram. Data placed before the court show that complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal involving Telegram increased from 75,688 in 2023 to 2.75 lakh in 2025, with reported fraud amounts crossing ₹3,000 crore in 2025. In 2026, by May over 88,000 such complaints had already been recorded.
“In Telegram, one account can create 40 bots. In WhatsApp it’s one bot per user,” Mr. Mehta said, citing an I4C report. The platform operates through the cloud infrastructure and hence those who commit crime cannot be tracked, he said.
The Centre has also linked Telegram to the dissemination of extremist content. It told the court that channels associated with radical groups use the platform to circulate propaganda, misinformation, and material intended to destabilise public order.
“Other countries have taken action on Telegram for terror activities being done on the platform. We have a list of such actions and countries,” he said.
A Bench of Justice Tejas Kataria scrutinised the government’s justification for a platform-wide restriction, even as it acknowledged concerns about examination malpractice and cybercrime.
“How can we stop the rights of 150 million people just because one set of citizens are appearing in examinations?” Justice Tejas Karia said, while hearing submissions from both sides.
“When riots happened and Internet services remained suspended in an area where there are just 10% miscreants and the rest are common public, we cannot avoid such bans when law and order is concerned,” Mr. Mehta said in response.
Since Telegram has a feature that allows date and time to be edited, the app could be misused in a NEET exam, he said. “In 2024, this has happened. The question paper was posted after the exam was conducted, but they edited date to previous day of exam, and then students were protesting on roads alleging that the paper was leaked. We want to avoid such a law and order situation as this time some 22 lakh students are taking the exam,” Mr. Mehta said.
Senior advocate Dhruv Mehta, appearing for Telegram, said that the government had failed to justify the use of emergency powers, and had not demonstrated why specific content could not be blocked, instead of disabling access to the entire platform.
“The order says it is in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India. An examination like NEET will affect the sovereignty and integrity of India? What is the application of mind?” he said.
The Bench, however, noted the seriousness of the examination leak allegations. The judgment has been reserved.
Published – June 18, 2026 03:57 pm IST
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