Kunal Kamra launches legal challenge to Sahyog Portal rules at Bombay High Court

Kunal Kamra challenges Sahyog Portal rules in Bombay High Court, citing concerns over police censorship and constitutional validity.

Comedian Kunal Kamra has told the Bombay High Court that the Sahyog Portal, introduced through a 2025 amendment to the Information Technology Rules, has led to police personnel directing the removal of content they find unsuitable. The petitioner has sought a ruling on the Constitutional validity of the portal and the amended Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

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During the hearing before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, senior advocate N. Seervai, appearing for Mr. Kamra, submitted that there have been thousands of cases where police personnel have asked individuals to take down their posts.

Mr. Seervai cited a recent instance where a post about a Chief Minister’s visit to Davos was ordered to be removed. The police officer, according to the counsel, said the content was unsuitable, though the lawyer questioned how such a post could be considered so.

The counsel also informed the Bench that while the present petition was pending, the Central Government had introduced further amendments to the Rules. He added that the Union of India had not filed its reply to the petition despite being served notice several months ago.

The Bench granted the petitioner one week to amend the plea in light of the new amendment. It also gave the Central Government two weeks to file its response.