Ashutosh Srivastava v. Union of India and Ors

O R D E R %

31.08.2026

¶1By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner is seeking following prayers: "A. Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing Respondent No.1 to consider and decide the Petitioner's detailed representation dated 30.03.2026 within a fixed period, by passing a reasoned and speaking order after providing the Petitioner an effective opportunity of hearing; B. Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing Respondent Nos.2 and 3 to preserve and protect the entire personal and professional digital data associated with the Petitioner's Google and Microsoft accounts and not to delete, destroy, overwrite or permanently alter the same during the pendency of the present petition."

¶2Issue notice. The learned CGSC accepts notice on behalf of respondent/UOI. This is a digitally signed order. 3. The learned CGSC appearing for respondent No.1/Union of India submits that the petitioner has not yet approached the Grievance Appellate Committee in terms of Rule 3A of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

¶4Having heard learned counsel for the parties and having regard to the nature of the grievance raised in the present petition, this Court finds it appropriate to direct the petitioner to approach the Grievance Appellate Committee in terms of Rule 3A of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

¶5In the event the petitioner files an appeal before the Grievance Appellate Committee, the said appeal shall be considered and decided, in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of filing of such appeal, under intimation to the petitioner.

¶6In view of the aforesaid directions, the present petition stands disposed of.

¶7In case of any further grievance, the petitioner will be at liberty to approach this Court by way of a fresh writ petition.

¶8The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J AUGUST 31, 2026/vc VS This is a digitally signed order.

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010407002026 + W.P.(C) 12598/2026 & CM APPL. 58480/2026 ASHUTOSH SRIVASTAVA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Amit Kumar, Ms. Khushboo Sharma and Mr. Kartik, Advocates. versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents Through: Mr. Vinay Yadav, CGSC with Mr. Neeraj Paulose Raj, Ms. Laavanya Kaushik, GP, Ms. Khaati Bansal, Advocates for UOI/R-1. CORAM: HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA