Telegram has lost its legal battle against India’s temporary blocking order, after the Delhi High Court ruled that the government’s decision to restrict access to the messaging platform was lawful and justified.

The ban, imposed from June 16 to June 22, was introduced after the cancellation of a major medical entrance exam following allegations that the question paper had been leaked. Indian authorities argued that Telegram’s features, including anonymous channels and hidden identities, made it difficult to prevent the spread of leaked material.

The court stated that the government had the authority to issue directions blocking public access to Telegram. The ruling has sparked debate among digital rights groups, who warned that the decision could expand government powers over online platforms.

Telegram, which has over 150 million users in India, argued that it had already removed hundreds of links connected to alleged exam-related leaks. The company claimed the ban affected users rather than solving the issue, as leaked content could move to other platforms.

The case has become one of the biggest clashes between a global technology company and India’s government, raising broader discussions about internet freedom, platform responsibility, and digital regulation.