X Sues Indian Government Over Alleged Censorship Via Sahyog Portal, Files Case In Karnataka

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, accusing it of expanding censorship powers through the Sahyog portal, a government platform introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, BBC reported.

The petition, filed in Karnataka, challenges what X describes as a misuse of India’s digital laws.

According to X, the portal grants “wide-ranging powers” to officials to issue content blocking orders that “fall outside the remit of the original law” and violate due process.

The company contends that “countless” government officials, including “tens of thousands of local police officers,” are “unilaterally and arbitrarily” issuing takedown orders, bypassing safeguards such as hearings and review procedures mandated by law.

Sahyog, which automates government notices to platforms, is already being used by Amazon, Google, and Meta. However, X has refused to join, labelling it a “censorship portal.”

The lawsuit follows a takedown order from the Ministry of Railways, which demanded the removal of hundreds of posts, including videos of a deadly crowd crush in Delhi during the Kumbh Mela that claimed 18 lives.

X argues that such orders, issued without proper legal procedure, violate fundamental rights.

In court, the government defended its position, stating it is issuing “notices” against “unlawful content,” not blocking orders, and insisted the portal is a “necessity” given the rise in harmful online material.

The legal tussle comes at a crucial moment, as Musk’s other ventures, Starlink and Tesla, are expanding into the Indian market.

Starlink recently signed agreements with major telecoms to roll out satellite internet, while Tesla has begun hiring in Mumbai and Delhi, reportedly scouting locations for showrooms.

X remains entangled in multiple legal disputes in India, including a previous case concerning content takedowns during the farmer protests.

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