Modi summons telecom secretary over website takedowns, sources say

New Delhi, November 14 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office summoned the telecommunications secretary on Saturday to explain the takedown of over 100 websites based on fake court orders, according to two government sources. The intervention signals growing scrutiny after Reuters revealed on Wednesday that telecom officials had directed internet providers to block 129 illegal betting websites using fake High Court orders sent by individuals posing as lawyers.

While online betting is prohibited in India, the incident has raised concerns about the potential misuse of falsified court documents to block legitimate websites. This has led to one criminal investigation by state police for forgery and cheating. Modi's office summoned Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal to appear and clarify the lapse, interrupting Agrawal's trip to another state, reported the two government officials with knowledge of the matter.

Agrawal, the most senior bureaucrat in the telecommunications ministry, oversees everything from major telecom operators to internet providers. The Department of Telecommunications's action against betting accounts was carried out through relevant field officers, one of the sources said. Agrawal and his ministry did not respond to Reuters queries, nor did Modi's office.