India has launched an official inquiry into how telecom officials ordered internet providers to block 129 illegal betting websites on the basis of forged court orders, while police have sought the telecom ministry's records and digital logs as part of a criminal investigation, officials said on Thursday, November 12.

Source: Reuters

The Department of Telecommunications issued two blocking directions this year — on July 21 and September 2 — after receiving emailed copies of what appeared to be orders from the Rajasthan High Court and the Allahabad High Court. Reuters reported on Wednesday that neither order exists in the courts' online registration records, and that the documents were sent by alleged fraudsters posing as lawyers.

What the inquiry will examine

A government official with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters the telecom ministry's inquiry will review its procedures and consider additional checks before officials act on court orders seeking website takedowns. The ministry plans to revoke the blocking directives issued on the basis of the forged orders and remove the related documents from its website, the official said, adding that the ministry is trying to identify those behind the email addresses used to send the orders. As of Thursday, the correspondence and copies of the forged orders remained available online, and the ministry did not respond to Reuters' queries.

Source: Reuters

A fake order with a real-looking seal

The purported Allahabad High Court order, dated August 14 and signed in the name of Justice Garima Prashad, carried the court's logo and seal and a QR code meant to verify authenticity — but the code led to a random webpage displaying only a case number, 'Writ — A 30480/2026'. Police case documents reviewed by Reuters say the judge's office has confirmed that no such order was passed. The Rajasthan High Court's registrar separately told Reuters the order in that court's name 'appears to be fraudulent' and did not exist on the court's server.

Source: Reuters

Police opened a criminal investigation after the Allahabad High Court filed a complaint on November 6. Uttar Pradesh cybercrime official Ghanshyam Yadav told Reuters police have asked the telecom ministry for details of its content management system and digital logs to understand how the forged orders were processed and to help identify those responsible. No arrests had been made at the time of the reports.

Source: Reuters

Reuters noted 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 had relied on non-existent judgments. The Arabian Post, reporting the same police case on November 12, said the Allahabad complaint was registered against unidentified persons under provisions covering cheating, forgery and the use of forged documents.

Source: Arabian Post