Twitter began legal proceedings against the Indian government on Wednesday over its orders to take down certain content posted on the platform.
In the latest escalation in the continuing face off between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the social media company, Twitter filed a legal complaint against the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, alleging “disproportionate” use of power.
“Multiple accounts and content included in the Blocking Orders are either overboard and arbitrary, fail to provide notice to the originators of the content, and are disproportionate in several cases,” Twitter said in the petition as seen by The National.
India is the third-largest audience for Twitter in the world, with an estimated 23.6 million users on the platform as of January this year.
The deadlock between Mr Modi’s government and the social media platform began in June last year when the government issued a final warning to the company to conform with new laws that require social media companies to appoint local officers for the redressal of grievances.
It had also asked the company to pull down a large number of posts on the widespread farmer’s agitation.
Twitter had refused to comply with the orders and did not act on several accounts and posts, particularly those of politicians and journalists.
The legal suit came a week after the IT Ministry had given Twitter “one last opportunity” to comply with the takedown orders issued under India's information technology law or it will face criminal proceedings.
Twitter filed a plea before the Karnataka High Court and reportedly said that several suspension orders by the government had no relation to national security, public order or incitement to an offence.
“They demonstrate excessive use of powers and are disproportionate. For example, in several cases there are demands for entire accounts to be blocked … several could pertain to political content that is posted by official handles of political parties,” the petition said.
“Blocking of such information is a violation of freedom of speech … further, there has been no showing that the accounts contain content in which at least a majority falls within the narrowly tailored grounds of Section 69A."
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, India’s junior minister for information technology, said that while foreign internet platforms can seek legal action, they have to comply with Indian laws.
“In India, all including foreign Internet intermediaries/platforms have right to court n judicial review. But equally ALL intermediary/platforms operating here, have unambiguous obligation to comply with our laws n rules,” Mr Chandrasekhar tweeted.
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')
Newcastle United 0
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
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Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
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Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
HAJJAN
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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