Court Demands Accountability from Platform 'X' in Obscene Video Case; Orders Police Commissioner to Appear
In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has underscored the accountability of social media platforms under Indian laws, emphasizing their duty to cooperate with police investigations. The court's decision arose from a case involving the posting of obscene videos of the petitioner, Mithilesh Kumar, on a social media platform identified as 'X'.
The legal proceedings, detailed in the Criminal Misc. Writ Petition No. 9325 of 2026, were presided over by Justices Ajay Bhanot and Divesh Chandra Samant. The court was presented with an affidavit from the investigation officer, dated May 4, 2026, which highlighted the challenges faced due to the non-cooperation of 'X'. Specifically, the affidavit stated that the platform had not provided crucial information such as the URL ID and IP address necessary for progressing the investigation.
Justice Bhanot, expressing dissatisfaction with the situation, noted that the investigation had reached an impasse due to the platform's refusal to cooperate. The court firmly stated that social media entities are not exempt from Indian legal accountability and must assist law enforcement agencies when required. The court criticized the platform's officials for obstructing justice and failing to fulfill their statutory responsibilities, which could potentially allow offenders to evade accountability.
In response to the impasse, the court has directed the Commissioner of Police, Ghaziabad, to personally appear in court on the next hearing date, August 12, 2026. The commissioner is expected to elucidate the measures being taken to ensure compliance and accountability from the social media platform's officials.
The court also instructed that a copy of its order be forwarded to the Secretary (Home), Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh. This directive underscores the court's commitment to ensuring that justice is served and that social media platforms cooperate fully with law enforcement efforts.
This ruling serves as a reminder of the legal obligations of social media platforms operating within India, emphasizing that they must adhere to the country's laws and support investigative processes effectively.
Bottom line:-
Social media platforms are not immune from accountability under Indian laws and must cooperate with police investigations when required.
Statutory provision(s): Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act
Mithilesh Kumar v. State Of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2936451
