A v. Union Of India & ORS.

$~53 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 17539/2024 and CM APPL. 74703/2024 .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Anurag Sahay and Mr. Rohit Kumar, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Ms. Nidhi Raman CGSC with Mr.

Arnav Mittal GP Akash Mishra, Advocates.

Mr. Ankit Parihar, Ms. Sneha Dey and Mr.

Shrikara Chakravarty, Advocates for R-3

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV

O R D E R

% 15.04.2026 1.

The instant petition is for the following reliefs:- "i. Pass an Order in the nature of Mandamus directing the Respondents No. 1 and 2 to take appropriate action against the Respondent No. 3 for failing to appoint a Grievance Officer, failing to prominently publish the contact details of such Grievance Officer, and failing to devise a mechanism for reporting by victims, as mandated by Rule 3(2) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021;

ii. Pass an Order in the nature of Mandamus directing the Respondents No. 1 and 2 to block for access by public the website and mobile application named "Bumble", owned and operated by the Respondent No. 3, till such time as a Grievance Officer is appointed, its contact details are The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

prominently published and a mechanism for reporting by victims is devised by the Respondent No. 3, as mandated by Rule 3(2) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021;

iii. Pass an Order in the nature of Mandamus directing the Respondents No. 3 to provide to the Petitioner the identifiable information of the perpetrator of sexual crimes against the Petitioner on "Bumble", owned and operated by the Respondent No. 3;

iv. Pass an Order in the nature of Mandamus directing the Respondents No.1 and 2 to ensure that such illegality in terms of non-compliance of provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, by the social media platforms or online dating platforms is not allowed to be committed; v. Pass an Order in the nature of Mandamus directing the Respondents No. 1 and 2 to prominently publish on their website a consolidated list, capable of being searched by the public, containing the names and contact details of all the Grievance Officers of all the social media platforms and intermediaries active in India, so that victims of sexual offences are able to gather necessary resources for the protection of their fundamental and legal rights; and/ or vi. Pass any such other or further Order(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit."

2.

The prayer (i) stands mitigated as the Grievance Officer has already been appointed. Owing to prayer (i) being satisfied, prayers (ii) and (iii), which were dependent on prayer (i)'s non-fulfilment, are rendered infructuous. The petitioner, thus, presses for prayer (iv) and (v). 3.

A perusal of the said prayers would indicate that certain directions are sought against respondent nos. 1 and 2 to ensure that contraventions of the provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021(hereinafter "Rules of 2021") by social media/ online dating, platforms are not allowed to take place. Since the Grievance Officer has been appointed, the Court finds it appropriate to The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

grant liberty to the petitioner to file a fresh representation before the concerned authority/ies, including the said officer, if the mandate under the Rules of 2021 is not fully adhered to.

4.

If the petitioner does so, let his grievance be dealt with in accordance with law and with due expedition.

5.

With the aforesaid observations and liberty, the instant petition stands disposed of.

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J APRIL 15, 2026 Nc The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.