A writ petition under Article 226 challenges the Central Government’s order blocking FOSS messaging platforms ‘Element’ and ‘Briar’ under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, and Rule 16 of the Blocking Rules, 2009. The petitioners argue that the order and Rule 16 violate Articles 14, 19, and 21 by imposing unreasonable restrictions on free speech, lacking procedural fairness, and mandating confidentiality. They seek to quash the blocking order and strike down Rule 16 for violating natural justice. The court has granted time to the government to file a counter-affidavit and posted the matter for hearing after a month.
