Senior Advocate Adish Aggarwala, former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), has filed a petition before the Delhi High Court challenging the suspension of his WhatsApp account.
In his plea, Aggarwala described the action taken by WhatsApp as “arbitrary and unilateral,” claiming it has blocked his access to important personal and professional information without warning or explanation.
Suspension Without Notice
According to Aggarwala, WhatsApp suspended his account without issuing any notice or giving him an opportunity to retrieve critical data.
His plea states that the suspended account contained:
- Legal drafts
- Advocates’ briefing notes
- Important communications
- Bar Council election documents
- Bar Association materials
- Other professional records
Aggarwala has argued that the inability to access this information has significantly impacted his professional duties.
Critical Timing Affected
The senior advocate highlighted that the suspension occurred during a crucial period, when he was scheduled to participate in international legal conferences in Bangkok, London, Dubai, along with major events in India.
He contends that WhatsApp’s action has hampered his canvassing efforts and restricted his fair participation in ongoing Bar Council election-related processes.
Violation of Fundamental Rights Alleged
In his petition, Aggarwala argues that WhatsApp’s conduct violates his constitutional rights under:
- Article 14 – Right to equality
- Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of speech and expression
- Article 19(1)(g) – Right to practice any profession
- Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty
The petition has been filed through Advocate Geeta Rani, urging the court to intervene and restore his account.
The case is expected to raise important questions about due process, digital rights, and the functioning of social media platforms in India.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
