The Central government informed the Delhi High Court that Telegram is being widely misused for several illegal activities, including terrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, child exploitation and financial fraud. The government also described the messaging platform as the “new dark web” because of its growing use by criminals and threat actors.
The submission was made during the hearing of Telegram’s challenge against the Centre’s decision to temporarily block the platform in India ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.
‘Telegram Has Become the New Dark Web’
The Centre told the court that Telegram has emerged as a major platform for criminals who use its channels and groups to connect users with dark web forums and hidden online networks. According to the government, cybercriminals are increasingly using Telegram to share deep web links, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify and track those involved in illegal activities.
The Centre said Telegram’s privacy-focused features have made it attractive for individuals and groups involved in unlawful operations.
Used for Terrorism, Cybercrime and Drug Trafficking
The government claimed that Telegram is being exploited for a wide range of crimes, including cyber fraud, drug trafficking, extremism and terrorism. It told the court that several criminal networks are using the platform to communicate, recruit members and coordinate activities while remaining anonymous.
According to the Centre, Telegram’s privacy tools often make investigations more challenging for authorities.
Concerns Over Extremist and Radical Content
The government also raised concerns about the spread of violent and extremist content on Telegram. It alleged that groups linked to terrorist organisations are using Telegram channels to circulate propaganda, spread misinformation and share radical content that could disturb public order. The Centre said such activities pose a serious threat to national security and social stability.
Child Exploitation and Piracy Concerns
Another major concern highlighted by the government was the circulation of child sexual exploitative and abuse material on Telegram groups and channels. The Centre said such content is being shared in violation of Indian laws.
Apart from this, Telegram is also allegedly being used for piracy, with many channels distributing pirated movies, web series and copyrighted content. The government said this causes financial losses to content creators and violates intellectual property rights.
Cybercriminals Using Telegram for Financial Frauds
The government told the court that cybercriminals often create fake accounts on Telegram using false identities to carry out financial scams and frauds. It further claimed that hacker groups and cyber threat actors use the platform to coordinate attacks, share stolen data and sell mule bank accounts that are later used in financial crimes.
According to the Centre, Telegram channels are also being used to exploit banks, fintech platforms, UPI accounts and cryptocurrency networks for laundering illegal money.
Leaked Personal Data Shared Through Telegram Bots
The government also expressed concern over Telegram bots being used to access and circulate leaked personal information.
It said sensitive details such as mobile numbers, Aadhaar information and other personal data obtained from previous breaches are often shared through such channels. Authorities believe this increases the risk of identity theft and online fraud.
Why Did the Centre Block Telegram?
The case reached the Delhi High Court after Telegram challenged the Centre’s temporary blocking order. Ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, the government suspended Telegram’s services in India until June 22 to prevent any possible leak or manipulation of examination-related material.
The action was taken following recommendations from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which stated that the restriction would remain in place only during the examination period and immediately after it.
Message Editing Feature Also Restricted
The government has also directed Telegram to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30. According to the NTA, the feature has allegedly been misused in the past to create fake evidence of question paper leaks. Administrators could edit old messages and replace attached files while keeping the original timestamp unchanged, making the content appear older than it actually was.
Telegram Under Scanner in NEET Paper Leak Probe
Telegram has come under increased scrutiny during the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. Several Telegram channels were allegedly offering access to examination papers and confidential material in exchange for money. These claims prompted investigations by authorities and led to stricter monitoring of the platform’s activities during the examination period.
