New Delhi: 129 websites have been blocked through fake court orders. The Prime Minister’s Office has sent a summons seeking an explanation from the Secretary of the Union Telecommunications Department regarding this matter.
On July 19, an order from the Rajasthan High Court was sent to the official e-mail address of the Union Telecommunications Department. It stated that 34 gambling websites should be blocked. Accordingly, on July 21, the Union Telecommunications Department ordered internet service providers to block all 34 websites. The websites were immediately blocked.
Following this, on August 22, an order from the Allahabad High Court was sent to the email address of the Union Telecommunications Department. It had ordered the blocking of 95 gambling websites. Accordingly, on September 2, the Union Telecommunications Department instructed internet service providers to block all 95 websites. The websites were immediately blocked.
Statements were issued to the media by the Union Telecommunications Department saying that 129 websites had been blocked in accordance with orders from two High Courts. Based on the details of those two specific court orders, reporters searched for case details on the websites of the Rajasthan and Allahabad High Courts concerned. However, there was no information at all on the High Court websites regarding those orders. It was found that they were fake orders.
In connection with this matter, a complaint was filed with the Uttar Pradesh Police on the 6th on behalf of the Allahabad High Court. Based on this, the police have registered a case and begun an investigation. Similarly, reports have emerged that the Rajasthan Police are also conducting a separate investigation.
In connection with this matter, the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday sent a summons to Amit Agrawal, Secretary of the Union Telecommunications Department, seeking an explanation.
Regarding this, sources in the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Only gambling websites have been targeted through fake court orders. The concerned officials should have verified the authenticity of the court orders. A detailed explanation will be sought from the Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications in this regard,” they said.
Uttar Pradesh police sources said: A fake order has been prepared in the name of Allahabad High Court judge Garima Prasad. A person named Kartikeya Pandey sent the e-mail in the name of a court official. Similarly, a fake Rajasthan High Court order was sent by a person named Aryan Chaudhary via e-mail.
Both court orders are exact replicas. These fake orders may have been produced using artificial intelligence technology. A thorough investigation is under way in this regard. Those responsible for this fraud will be caught soon, said those sources.