Telangana High Court Quashes Police Notice To X Seeking User Details Of Person Not Named In FIR
The Telangana High Court quashed a Section 94 BNSS notice issued by the police to social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) seeking details of a user/account holder, after noting that user's name did not feature in the FIR under investigation and hence there was no prima facie basis for issuance of the notice. [2026 LiveLaw (Tel) 126]For context Section 94 empowers Courts and police...
The Telangana High Court quashed a Section 94 BNSS notice issued by the police to social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) seeking details of a user/account holder, after noting that user's name did not feature in the FIR under investigation and hence there was no prima facie basis for issuance of the notice. [2026 LiveLaw (Tel) 126]
For context Section 94 empowers Courts and police officers to issue summons for production of necessary documents etc., required during an investigation, inquiry, or trial.
The court was hearing a plea challenging a Section 94 BNSS notice issued by the police seeking details of the petitioner's 'X' (formerly Twitter) account details including basic user information, registration details, linked mobile number, email address, particulars of devices used/logged in and IP logs in connection with an FIR.
The plea claimed that the same was illegal, arbitrary, without jurisdiction, without any nexus to the offence under investigation, disproportionate, violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 21 of the Constitution of India.
It was submitted that the details of the petitioner's Twitter account was already mentioned in the notice and therefore there was no point in requesting Twitter to furnish further details. It was further submitted that the FIR–Crime No.40412026, dated 30.07.2026, mentioned in the notice does not refer to the name of the petitioner as an accused and therefore, he apprehends that the respondents are trying to implicate the petitioner in the said crime without any basis.
Justice Tangirala Madhavi Devi in her order said:
"On going through the recitals in FIR No.40412026, dated 30.07.2026 filed along with the writ petition this Court finds that there is no reference to the petitioner in any way and is therefore of the prima facie opinion that there is no basis for the issuance of the notice under Section 94 of BNSS to X (Twitter).
In view thereof, the impugned notice is set aside in so far as observing that the petitioner is involved in Crime No.404 of 2026. The respondents are therefore directed not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner without any basis for the same and without following due process of law".
The court disposed of the plea.
Case title: P Rajagopal v/s The State of Telangana & Ors.
WRIT PETITION NO: 26326 0F 2026
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Tel) 126