Review Panel to Assess Restoration of Satirical Group's Social Media Access

The Delhi High Court has directed a review committee to evaluate the case concerning the blocked X account of the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical group, and reach a decision by July 7. This follows a petition challenging the government's action as unconstitutional and disproportionate.

The Delhi High Court has declined to authorize the immediate unblocking of the Cockroach Janta Party's X account, a digital satire collective. However, the court has instructed a review committee to investigate the matter under IT rules and arrive at a decision by July 7.

The court allowed Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party, to present his case virtually to the committee. If the committee determines the account should be reinstated, it is within its rights to authorize the unblocking. A formal notice has been served to the central government and X, previously known as Twitter, following Dipke's legal challenge against the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's decision to block the account.

The plea argues that the Cockroach Janta Party's content is protected satire under the Constitution's freedom of speech clause, highlighting that specific tweets, not the entire account, should have been suspended if deemed offensive. The blocking reportedly contravened natural justice and procedural protocols outlined in the Information Technology Act.

The Cockroach Janta Party was formed amidst a controversy stemming from remarks linked to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant about legal professionals and has since seen its account on X suspended in India, prompting the creation of a new account, 'Cockroach is Back'. The group has since emerged as a voice for youth issues, campaigning for education reform and accountability.