Riya Nagpal v. Union of India & Anr

O R D E R %

20.08.2026 CM APPL. 56332/2026 (exemption)

¶1Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

¶2Application stands disposed of. CM APPL. 56333/2026

¶3By way of the present application, the petitioner seeks permission of this Court to file lengthy list of dates.

¶4For the reasons mentioned in the application, the prayer made in the application is allowed and the petitioner is permission to file lengthy list of dates. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

¶5Application stands disposed of. W.P.(C) 12146/2026 & CM APPL. 56331/2026

¶6By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner seeks following reliefs: "a. Issue writ of Mandamus, order, direction, or any other writ to the Respondent No. 1, i.e. the Grievance Appellate Committee under Rule 3A of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to expeditiously resolve the Appeal No. 37808 of 2026 filed on 09.07.2026; b. Issue writ of Mandamus, order, direction, or any other writ to the Respondent No. 1, i.e. the Grievance Appellate Committee under Rule 3A of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to conduct its appeal process in conformity with the fundamental rights and freedom guaranteed under Articles 14, 19(l)(a), 19(1)(g), and 21 under Part III of the Constitution of India, insofar as the same pertains to the Petitioner; 37 c. Issue a writ, direction or order to the Respondent No. 2 to restore the Instagram account @riaspeaks (URL: https://instagram.com/riauncovers); and"

¶7The sole grievance, as of now raised by the petitioner is that the petitioner's appeal has not been decided under Rule 3A(4) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (hereafter 'IT Rules').

¶8The petitioner places reliance on Rule 3A(4) of the IT Rules and contends that the Appeal No. 5913/2026 under Rule 3A filed by the petitioner, has to be decided within a period of 30 days.

¶9In view of the aforesaid, the Court directs that the appellate authority shall decide the petitioner's Appeal No. 5913/2026 with due expedition, and in any case, within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶10With these directions, the petition, along with pending application, stands disposed of, leaving all rights and contentions of the parties open. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

¶11The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J AUGUST 20, 2026/A TD The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010390352026 + W.P.(C) 12146/2026 RIYA NAGPAL .....Petitioner Through: Mr Apar Gupta, Mr Naman Kumar, Ms Uzma Sheikh and Ms Pragya Jain, Advs. versus UNION OF INDIA & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Jivesh Tiwari, CGSC with Mr. Adhiraj Singh GP and Ms. Nandini Aggarwal, Adv. for R-1. Ms Amee Rana, Mr Yash Karunakaran and Ms Ashrika Mehra, Advs. for R-2. CORAM: HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA