New Delhi, 24 July (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging the government’s order to suspend mobile internet services in and around Jantar Mantar and will take up the matter today itself.

During the proceedings, the lawyer appearing for the petitioner mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and sought an urgent hearing. During the mentioning, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that the Central government and concerned authorities had suddenly ordered the suspension of mobile internet services in areas surrounding Jantar Mantar. The counsel argued that the move was completely arbitrary, illegal and a violation of the fundamental rights of citizens.

The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear the public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the government’s decision to suspend mobile internet services in view of security concerns and ongoing protests. The court will hear the matter later today.

Students have been continuously protesting at Jantar Mantar for the past several days against the alleged paper leak issue. Following the protests, the Union Home Ministry, citing law-and-order concerns, issued orders under the Telecommunications Act and related rules to temporarily suspend mobile internet services within a radius of 1.5 kilometres around Jantar Mantar as a precautionary measure.

The restriction remained in force from evening until late night, affecting mobile data services not only around Jantar Mantar but also in areas such as Connaught Place and Mandi House.

The petition stated that repeated disruptions of internet services have caused significant inconvenience to the general public, local traders, students and working professionals. It alleged that the Centre’s order violated citizens’ fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to access information.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar