AGIJ Ltd, owner of The Leaflet, and journalist Nikhil Wagle filed a petition challenging the IT Rules, 2021, arguing they breach privacy, violate fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(a) and 21, and are ultra vires the parent IT Act. The petition seeks interim relief to stay the rules. The Union government requested time to file a short affidavit in response to the interim relief plea and has also moved the Supreme Court to transfer all petitions challenging the IT Rules to the SC. The matter highlights concerns over free speech, privacy, and regulatory overreach in digital media.
