India Probes Blocks Based on Forged Court Orders

India has opened an inquiry into how telecom officials blocked websites on the basis of forged court orders, while police have launched a criminal investigation into the fraud,

An arm of the telecom ministry this year directed internet providers to block 129 illegal betting websites. Reuters revealed on Wednesday that the directives rested on forged orders issued in the names of two state high courts and emailed to officials by alleged fraudsters posing as lawyers.

The findings raised questions about safeguards in India’s content-takedown system and prompted concern that legitimate websites could be blocked with falsified court documents.

Forged court orders to be revoked

The telecom ministry’s inquiry will review its procedures and consider extra checks before officials act on court orders seeking website takedowns, a government official with direct knowledge of the matter said.

“It’s serious … Maybe in future some genuine websites may also be blocked in the same manner,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The ministry is trying to identify those behind the email addresses used to send the forged orders, which were issued in the names of the Rajasthan and Allahabad high courts.

The ministry plans to revoke the blocking directives issued on the basis of the forged orders and remove related documents from its website, the official added. As of Thursday, the correspondence with the alleged fraudsters and copies of the forged orders remained available online. The ministry did not respond to queries.

Criminal investigation under way

Police opened a criminal investigation after checks by the Allahabad High Court found that one of the purported orders in its name had not been issued by the court, according to police documents reviewed by Reuters. The document carried a fabricated court logo and seal, as well as a fake QR code.

Ghanshyam Yadav, a cybercrime official in Uttar Pradesh, said police had asked the telecom ministry for details of its content management system and digital logs to understand how it processed the forged orders and help identify those responsible. Police have sent 24 questions to the ministry, and its response will help determine the next steps.

The case comes amid growing concern over fake and AI-generated legal material. India’s Supreme Court in July struck down a tribunal ruling that relied on non-existent judgments, while a United States judge in June disqualified lawyers over fabricated legal citations.

Why it matters beyond India

The case is a warning for every country that blocks websites on court orders, including Pakistan, where the telecom regulator also issues takedown and blocking directions. If a ministry can act on an emailed order without checking it against the court’s own record, the same gap can be used against lawful websites. The fix is basic: verify the order with the court before the block goes live, and publish the order so anyone can check it.

Officials have been warned before about fake and AI-generated material circulating online, and AI tools are spreading fast in both countries. Fraudsters have already used fake offers to target the public, and forged court papers are a more serious version of the same trick.

Politicians and activists in India have already called for stronger verification before takedowns are enforced. “(Why did the) ministry not even bother to verify the so-called court order … Beyond scary,” opposition politician Saket Gokhale wrote on X.

Frequently asked questions

How many websites were blocked on forged orders?

129 illegal betting websites were blocked after an arm of India’s telecom ministry directed internet providers to act on the forged orders.

Which courts were named in the forged orders?

The Rajasthan and Allahabad high courts. Checks by the Allahabad High Court found that one purported order in its name had never been issued.

How were the forged orders sent?

They were emailed to telecom ministry officials by alleged fraudsters posing as lawyers. The documents carried a fabricated court logo and seal, as well as a fake QR code.

What is India doing about it?

The telecom ministry has opened an inquiry into its procedures and plans to revoke the blocking directives. Police have opened a criminal investigation and sent 24 questions to the ministry.