The Centre ordered the suspension of mobile internet services within a 1.5 km radius of Jantar Mantar from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. according to reports on Thursday. The site has been used by protestors, along with the Cockroach Janta Party to protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam.
The order was passed in exercise of the power conferred by clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 20 of The Telecommunication Act, 2023. Along with clause (b) of sub-rule 1 of Rule 2 and sub-rule 1 of Rule 3 of The Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024.
As per the text of the order, The Union Home Secretary deemed the order to be in the interest of public safety and averting public emergency, which was addressed to the Commisioner of Delhi Police, New Delhi.
"It is necessary and expedient so to do in the interest of public order and for preventing incitement to the commission of any offence, hereby direct to suspend the mobile internet services (all technologies) with effect from 16:00 hours on 23rd July, 2026 to 24:00 hours on 23rd July, 2026 at and around a radius of 1.5 Kms of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi," the order read.
The protests were led by the CJP along with climate activist Sonam Wanghchuk joining them, going on hunger strike for over 20 days, asking for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing accountability for the leaks of the question papers of the NEET exam, leading to it being cancelled.
The NEET-UG 2026 exam originally held on May 3, 2026, was officially cancelled on May 12, 2026, and then reheld on June 21, 2026, with results declared on July 16, 2026.
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