# Digital Rights Groups Challenge Delhi Police Takedown Notices in High Court IFF and SFLC seek to quash police orders targeting their social media accounts. - **Source:** [Scroll.in](https://scroll.in) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4337dfb6-c917-4501-ad36-59c88cb5381b ## Legal Challenge Initiated The Internet Freedom Foundation and the Software Freedom Law Center have officially moved the Delhi High Court. They are challenging specific notices issued by the Delhi Police to the social media platform X. These notices demanded the removal of their accounts and various posts, citing alleged defamation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh organization. ## Lack of Official Response Both organizations reported significant difficulties in verifying the authenticity of the police notices. The Software Freedom Law Center stated that multiple emails sent to the Delhi Police were returned as undeliverable. Despite these attempts to seek clarification, they have yet to receive any official response or formal confirmation regarding the takedown requests. ## Writ Petition Filed The Internet Freedom Foundation filed a writ petition after the Delhi Police failed to deny or withdraw the takedown requests communicated by X. The organization emphasized that the absence of official rescission forced them to seek judicial intervention. The matter is now formally registered and is scheduled for an upcoming court hearing. ## Targeted Accounts Identified The legal action follows notices targeting the accounts of IFF and the Software Freedom Law Center. Additionally, the account 'Geo Blocked in India,' which tracks and compiles government-mandated blocking orders across the country, was also reportedly targeted. These groups play a critical role in monitoring digital censorship and transparency in the Indian internet space. ## Political Context Involved The notices allege that the content posted by these digital rights groups defamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The RSS serves as the parent organization of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which currently holds power in India. This connection highlights the intersection of digital speech, political influence, and the use of law enforcement mechanisms. ## Platform Role in Takedowns Social media platform X acted as the intermediary by communicating the police notices to the affected organizations. By relaying these demands, X effectively alerted the groups to the potential removal of their digital presence. The legal dispute now centers on whether the police orders meet the necessary legal standards for such content removal. ## Broader Implications Observed This case underscores the ongoing tension between digital rights advocacy and state-led content moderation efforts. By challenging these notices in court, the organizations aim to establish a legal precedent regarding the transparency and validity of police-issued takedown orders. The outcome could significantly impact how digital platforms handle similar government requests in India. ## Future Judicial Review The Delhi High Court will now review the legitimacy of the police notices and the procedures followed during their issuance. Observers are looking for clarity on whether the police have the authority to demand account removals without clear, verifiable documentation. The court's decision will likely define the boundaries of digital expression for civil society. ## Sources covering this story - https://scroll.in/latest/1096907/digital-rights-groups-iff-sflc-move-hc-against-delhi-police-asking-x-to-remove-their-accounts?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=public — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._