Kunal Kamra, Haresh Jagtiani Challenge Centre’s Sahyog Portal Before Bombay High Court

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Senior Advocate Haresh Jagtiani have approached the Bombay High Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Central government’s Sahyog portal and Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023.

They argue that the portal enables unilateral blocking or takedown of online content by government authorities without issuing notice to content originators or providing an opportunity of hearing, in violation of mandatory procedural safeguards.

The petition contends that the framework grants sweeping and unchecked powers to officials, facilitates arbitrary censorship, undermines democratic discourse, and imposes unreasonable restrictions on free speech beyond Article 19(2) of the Constitution.