Delhi High Court Rules Writ Petitions Not Maintainable Against X Corp (Twitter)
The Delhi High Court has determined that writ petitions cannot be filed against X Corp (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the social media platform operates as a private entity rather than a public body. In the case of *Sanchit Gupta v Union of India & Anr*, Justice Sajeev Narula ruled that X does not fulfill public functions or duties, thereby making it immune to writ jurisdiction typically reserved for state or governmental entities.
Justice Narula acknowledged the significant role X plays in disseminating information and shaping public opinion but clarified that its primary function is to offer a platform for expression rather than to perform any state-mandated duties. The court highlighted that X operates as a voluntary and user-driven service, without directives or statutory obligations imposed by the government.
This decision came in response to a writ petition filed by Sanchit Gupta, who challenged X’s decision to suspend his account. Gupta argued that the suspension violated principles of natural justice and fairness, and he included the Union of India as a party to assert that the government should ensure that private entities like X do not infringe on constitutional rights.
However, the court found no evidence of the central government failing in its regulatory duties or of legal obligations being ignored that would warrant judicial intervention. As a result, the court dismissed Gupta’s petition, ruling that it was not maintainable under the circumstances.
Advocates Ankit Shah, Avneesh Kumar Upadhyaya, Megha Tyagi, Kriti Jain, and Tarun Arora represented Sanchit Gupta, while the Union of India was represented by Central Government Standing Counsel Mukul Singh and advocate Seema Singh.
(With inputs from agency)
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