HC seeks Centre's response on comedian Kunal Kamra's plea against 'Sahyog Portal'
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Indian government to file an affidavit regarding comedian Kunal Kamra's petition against the 'Sahyog Portal'. The petition challenges the portal's constitutionality, arguing it facilitates unilateral online content takedowns without due process.
Why it matters
The case addresses critical tensions between government digital oversight, freedom of speech, and the legal safeguards required for online content moderation.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday (July 16, 2026) directed the Union government to file its affidavit in response to a petition filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's 'Sahyog Portal'.
Mr. Kamra, in his plea, also challenged an amendment to the Information Technology (IT) Rules that requires social media or online intermediaries to remove any objectionable content within 36 hours.
He had claimed that the Sahyog Portal was a tool used by the government for online censorship and the amended rules enabled the government to order the takedown of content without adequate safeguards.
Mr. Kamra's counsel, Navroz Seervai, on Thursday (July 16, 2026) mentioned the plea before a division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, claiming that it was an important matter, but the government, despite repeated directions, had not filed its affidavit.
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