Telegram on Friday failed in its attempt to overturn an Indian government order that temporarily blocked access to the messaging platform, after a New Delhi court ruled that the measure was lawful and justified.

The ban, which was in effect from June 16 to June 22, has sparked widespread debate in India. Free speech advocates argue that the decision sets a troubling precedent by strengthening the government’s authority to restrict access to messaging platforms whenever it deems necessary.

The government imposed the temporary block after the results of a nationwide medical school entrance examination were cancelled last month amid allegations that examination questions had been leaked.

In his ruling, Delhi High Court Justice Tejas Karia stated that the government was “empowered … to issue directions for blocking public access to Telegram” under the circumstances.

Telegram, which has more than 150 million users in India and considers the country its largest market, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the judgment. The Indian government also declined to comment on the ruling.

“It sets a concerning precedent with consequences for the open internet that extend well beyond this case,” digital rights group Internet Freedom Foundation said on X after the ‌verdict.

The restrictions applied exclusively to Telegram, with the government maintaining that the platform posed a distinct challenge.

Officials pointed to features that allow blocked channels to be quickly recreated, as well as options that conceal phone numbers and facilitate interactions through usernames, arguing that these capabilities create ongoing difficulties for enforcement authorities.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has openly criticised the move, contending that the ban unfairly penalises millions of legitimate users while those responsible for the examination leaks have simply migrated to other platforms.

The temporary suspension, which rendered Telegram inaccessible and led to its removal from app stores this week, was swiftly enforced by Indian telecommunications providers and major technology companies, including Google and Apple, within hours of the government’s directive.