The Delhi High Court on Monday (August 17) directed Meta to place on record the material based on which it disabled the Instagram account of a stock market advisor and imposed restrictions on her other social media accounts.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the direction while hearing a suit filed by Aakanksha Gupta, who is stated to be a stock market advisor and analyst. Gupta alleged that one of her Instagram accounts had been disabled, while three of her other Instagram and Facebook accounts had been subjected to strikes or restrictions.

The Court issued summons in the suit and notice on Gupta's application seeking interim relief. However, it declined to grant any interim relief at this stage.

During the hearing Senior Advocate Diya Kapoor, appearing along with Advocate Nakul Gandhi for Gupta, submitted that the plaintiff is a SEBI-registered research analyst who operates social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, X and Telegram, among other platforms.

It was submitted that one of Gupta's Instagram accounts had been disabled and three others had been subjected to strikes or restrictions for reasons that were “not entirely discernible” and “cryptic”. Kapoor argued that the action was seriously affecting Gupta's business as a stock market advisor and analyst.

Advocate Varun Pathak appearing for Meta submitted that the reasons for disabling/restricting the account are notified to the account holder as a notification on the account itself. In the present case the accounts have been restricted/disabled for posting content that does not comply with community standards on "Adult Sexual Solicitation" and by reason of "scam and fraud reports".

Pathak also raised a preliminary objection to the maintainability of the suit and said that it does not concern infringement of any intellectual property.

The court at this stage orally said, "No relief at this stage". Kapoor meanwhile said that the court may direct a time bound investigation and place the material before the court based on which action was taken.

The court thereafter directed, "Defendant No. 1 (Meta) is directed to place on record material based on which action has been taken against the plaintiff's accounts".

The matter is next listed in October.

Case title: AAKANKSHA GUPTA V/s META PLATFORMS INC. AND ORS [CS(COMM)-885/2026]