‘Nehr who’ moves HC against blocking of X account, alleges repeated targeting by Centre

Political commentator Kumar Nayan has approached the Delhi High Court against the blocking of his account “@Nehr_who” on social media platform X in India at the Union government’s directions, Live Law reported.

Nayan has alleged that the satirical account was blocked by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcast for allegedly objectionable posts without providing him with the blocking order, reason or supporting documents.

The commentator has contended that the blocking of his account violates his right to equality, right to practice any profession, his freedom of speech and personal liberty. The account had more than 2.5 lakh followers when it was withheld.

Nayan said in his plea that the platform informed him on July 27 that it was enforcing a blocking order from the ministry under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

The law allows an authorised official in the Union government, not below the rank of a joint secretary, to send content removal orders to social media platforms if the content is deemed to threaten national security, sovereignty or public order.

The ministry had on July 28 issued notice proposing to block the account and supplied a list of links allegedly relied upon for the action, Live Law reported. However, Nayan contended that the order that blocked his account was not provided to...

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