77 WP 1141 2026 Meena IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA WRIT PETITION NO.1141 OF 2026 HARSHAD HIRU NAIK ... PETITIONER Versus UNION OF INDIA THR MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND 2 ORS ... RESPONDENTS Mr. Jatin Ramaiya, Advocate with Mr. Omkar Parab, Advocate (through VC) for the Petitioner. Mr. Pravin Faldessai, Central Government Standing Counsel with Mr. Anand Shirodkar and Ms. Swizel Falcao, Advocates for the Respondent No.1. Ms. Amee Rana (through VC) with Mr. Vishesh Sharma, Ms. Tanvi Raina and Mr. Parikshit Sawant, Advocates for Respondent No.3. CORAM:- VALMIKI MENEZES & AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, JJ. DATED :- 8th September, 2026 P..C: 1. The Respondent No.3, through its Grievance Officer, has responded to the Petitioner's representation by communication dated 04.09.2026. Considering that there is now a response, the remedy available to the Petitioner under Rule 3A of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 is to file an appeal before Respondent No.2 i.e. the Grievance Appellate Committee. The Petitioner submits that he would file an appeal within 10 days from today; if such appeal is filed, the Grievance Appellate Committee - 8th September, 2026 77 WP 1141 2026 Respondent No.2 shall consider the appeal and reply of the Respondent No.3, if any, and dispose of the appeal, preferably within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the appeal. 2. During the pendency of such appeal, if filed, the statement made by Respondent No.3 as recorded in our order of 27.08.2026 that the digital assets of the Petitioner would be preserved shall continue during the pendency of the appeal and continue in operation till 2 weeks after the appellate order is passed. 3. Petition stands disposed of in the above terms. AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, J. VALMIKI MENEZES, J. 8th September, 2026 Signed by: MEENA VISHAL BHOIR Designation: Private Secretary Date: 09/09/2026 18:12:14