Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that social media users must receive a copy of a government takedown notice when authorities direct a platform to block their content or page. The Court said that informing the affected user is necessary to protect their right to defend themselves and challenge the decision.
The ruling came while hearing a petition filed by Haryana 24 News Network Private Limited after its Facebook page was blocked in India on the directions of the Haryana Police. The Court also held that the officer issuing the notice must meet the rank requirement prescribed under the applicable rules.
Facebook Page Blocking Case: Punjab And Haryana High Court’s Key Observations
Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya delivered the judgment on October 5, 2026, in the case of Haryana 24 News Network Private Limited v. Union of India and Others.
The Court examined whether the authorities could direct Facebook to block a page without providing the affected company with a copy of the notice.
It observed that although the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, do not expressly require authorities to provide a copy of such a notice to the user, this obligation follows from the principles of natural justice.
The Court said the affected user must receive the notice when it is sent to the social media platform. This would allow the user to understand the action taken and exercise their right to challenge it.
What is the Reason of Haryana 24 News Network Private Limited Facebook Page Blocking
Haryana 24 News Network Private Limited approached the High Court after its Facebook page was blocked in India following a communication from the Superintendent of Police (SP), Yamuna Nagar.
The company told the Court that it had not received prior notice before its Facebook page was disabled.
In response, the police argued that one of the company’s directors was an accused in an extortion case and had allegedly used the Facebook page to intimidate the victim. The police said that the communication was therefore sent to Facebook to disable the page. However, the Court examined whether the officer who issued the communication had the legal authority to do so and whether the company had been given a copy of the notice.
Only An Officer Of The Required Rank Can Issue The Notice
The High Court held that the officer authorised to issue such a communication must not be below the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP).
In this case, the communication was issued by the Superintendent of Police, Yamuna Nagar. The Court found that this did not comply with the applicable rules.
The Haryana government argued that the SP had been delegated the authority to issue the communication. However, the Court said the State had failed to identify a legal provision that permitted such delegation.
The Court criticised the exercise of power by an officer who did not have the required authority under the rules. It held that the communication was issued in violation of the statutory requirements and set it aside.
Court Says Users Must Receive Copies Of Takedown Notices
The Court also highlighted the importance of providing the affected user with a copy of the notice sent to the intermediary. Without the notice, a user may not know the precise basis on which their page or content has been blocked. This can make it difficult to challenge the decision effectively.
The Court observed that sending the user a copy of the communication is an essential part of ensuring fairness and compliance with the principles of natural justice. It directed that whenever authorities send such a communication to a social media intermediary, a copy must also be provided to the affected user at the same time.
Facebook Page Blocking Case: Court Rejects The Argument On Grievance Redressal
The State argued that the company should approach the grievance redressal mechanism provided by the social media intermediary. However, the Court rejected this argument because the company had not been given a copy of the communication dated August 21, 2026.
The Court reasoned that approaching the grievance redressal mechanism without knowing the contents of the notice would be a futile exercise and could seriously affect the company’s ability to defend itself.
The judgment therefore emphasised that users should have access to the information necessary to challenge restrictions imposed on their social media accounts.
Facebook Page Ordered To Be Restored
The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the restoration of Haryana 24 News Network Private Limited’s Facebook page.
It also clarified that if the authorities identify any illegality on the page and decide to send a fresh communication to the intermediary, they must provide a copy of that communication to the company immediately after sending it.
The ruling establishes an important procedural safeguard for users whose social media pages or content are targeted by government takedown directions.
It does not mean that unlawful content cannot be blocked. Instead, the judgment stresses that authorities must follow the applicable legal requirements and ensure that affected users receive the relevant notice.
FAQs
The Court held that the authorised officer must not be below the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), in accordance with the applicable rules.
The Court ruled that authorities must provide affected users with a copy of the takedown notice when it is sent to a social media platform. This requirement follows from the principles of natural justice.
The Court found that the takedown communication had been issued by a Superintendent of Police who did not meet the required rank and authorisation conditions. It also noted that the company had not received a copy of the notice and ordered the Facebook page to be restored.
