Centre Raises Serious Concerns Over Telegram in Delhi High Court
The Central Government on Thursday expressed serious concerns about the use of Telegram in various criminal activities, telling the Delhi High Court that the messaging platform has increasingly become a challenge for law enforcement agencies.
The submissions were made during proceedings linked to the government’s move concerning Telegram’s operations ahead of the upcoming NEET UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.
Government Flags Terror and Cybercrime Concerns
Representing the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that concerns surrounding Telegram extend far beyond examination-related issues and involve broader national security challenges.
According to the Centre, official reports indicate that the platform is being used for activities ranging from cyber fraud and illegal transactions to communication networks linked with extremist and terrorist elements.
“According to reports, the app is the most preferred platform for terrorist activities,” the Solicitor General told the court.
However, he clarified that the current proceedings were not solely focused on terrorism-related allegations.
“But right now we’re not concerned with it… so I’m not going into it… they are facing problems in other jurisdictions because of the architectural design,” he said.
Focus on Telegram’s Technology Structure
The Centre informed the court that its primary concern lies in the technological framework on which Telegram operates.
According to the government’s submissions, certain features involving automated bots and large-scale digital infrastructure can potentially be misused for unlawful purposes.
“Problems lie in the underlying architecture which relies on BOT infra,” the Solicitor General stated.
“These features can be exploited for dissemination leaks, terrorist propaganda which poses serious challenge,” he added.
Government lawyers argued that such systems can be used to circulate leaked content, coordinate illegal activities and bypass conventional monitoring mechanisms.
Centre Calls Telegram a “New Dark Web”
During the hearing, the government drew a comparison between Telegram and hidden digital networks often associated with unlawful activity.
Officials argued that the platform’s structure has increasingly made it attractive for criminal groups seeking anonymity and secure communication channels.
The Centre described Telegram as functioning like a “new dark web” in several instances, claiming that threat actors are using it to spread illegal content, conduct fraudulent operations and organise activities that are difficult for authorities to track.
NEET UG Re-Exam Case Sparks Wider Debate
The government’s remarks came during arguments related to its decision to suspend Telegram’s functioning before the NEET UG 2026 re-examination.
Authorities have maintained that preventing the spread of leaked examination material and protecting the integrity of national-level entrance tests are important considerations behind the move.
At the same time, the case has expanded into a larger discussion on digital platforms, privacy, national security and the responsibilities of technology companies.
