IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH (144) CRM-M-14178-2026 Mahant Mahatma Muni ……Petitioner(s) Versus State of Punjab and others ……Respondent(s) Decided on : 09.07.2026 Date of uploading: 09.07.2026 CORAM : HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Vivek K. Thakur, Advocate for the petitioner (s). Mr. Adhiraj Singh, AAG, Punjab. Mr. Puneet Bali, Senior Advocate with Mr. Gagandeep Singh, Mr. Anmol, Ms. Amee Rana and Ms. Radhika Roy, Advocate for respondent Nos.6 & 7. ***** Sumeet Goel, J. (Oral): 1. The present petition has been filed under 528 of BNSS 2023, praying for the issuance of appropriate directions to the concerned authorities and the respondent intermediary platforms to forthwith remove, disable access to, and take down the defamatory, false and objectionable content hosted on various social media platforms within a time-bound period; to preserve and protect the relevant electronic records, metadata and other digital evidence pertaining to the impugned content. 2. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, at the outset, has submitted that the petitioner would be satisfied for the nonce, in case an application (wherein interim relief is also sought for) is pending adjudication before the concerned Judicial Magistrate (copy whereof has been appended as Annexure P-6 with the present petition) be directed to be disposed of expeditiously in accordance with law. NAVEEN NAGPAL 2026.07.09 17:51 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment HIgh Court Chandigarh CRM-M-14178-2026 -2- 3. In view of the innocuous prayer made at the end of the petitioner, this Court deems it appropriate to grant the same without commenting upon the merits of the lis. 4. Ordered accordingly. 5. Ergo, the concerned Magistrate is directed to make an earnest endeavor to dispose of the application at the earliest, in accordance with law, after affording requisite opportunity of hearing to all concerned. (SUMEET GOEL) July 09, 2026 JUDGE Naveen Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether Reportable : Yes/No NAVEEN NAGPAL 2026.07.09 17:51 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment HIgh Court Chandigarh