Initiated steps to block objectionable tweets by journalist Rana Ayyub: Centre to HC

Centre informs Delhi HC of steps to block objectionable tweets by journalist Rana Ayyub under IT Blocking Rules.

The Centre on Friday (April 10, 2026) informed the Delhi High Court that steps have been initiated according to law to block certain allegedly derogatory and communally sensitive tweets by journalist Rana Ayyub.

In a note submitted to Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, the Central Government and the police stated that the investigating agency requested the authority concerned on April 9 to block the objectionable tweets as per Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.

The request is under consideration, and appropriate action under the IT Blocking Rules would be taken by the authority. Ms. Ayyub was free to seek appropriate legal remedies if she iswas aggrieved by any decision taken in the matter, the Centre said.

"It is submitted that the Union of India under the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009 has already initiated the proceedings in accordance with law. It is further submitted that the Designated Officer appointed under Rule 03, upon being satisfied that the circumstances warrant invocation of emergency powers under Rule 09, shall take an appropriate decision which shall be placed before this Hon'ble Court," the note said.

Rule 9 provides for the blocking of information in cases of emergency. Justice Kaurav was hearing a lawyer's petition seeking that Ms. Ayyub's tweets, which allegedly insulted Hindu deities and "revered historical figures", should be taken down.

The judge listed the matter for further hearing on May 19 and granted Ms. Ayyub time to file her reply. In the note, the Centre further said that despite having "actual knowledge", X, formerly called Twitter, did not remove the "unlawful content from its platform".