Telegram’s Future In India Uncertain As Govt Probes Criminal Allegations, CEO Arrested

The Indian government is currently investigating Telegram due to its alleged involvement in illegal activities such as piracy, gambling and extortion. Several reports suggest that the messaging app could face a potential ban in India depending on the outcome of the probe.

Pavel Durov, Founder and CEO of Telegram (39) was arrested in Paris on August 24 over the app’s content moderation policies. According to reports, he was detained for failing to prevent criminal activities on the platform.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) are leading the investigation into Telegram’s operations in India. The probe is specifically targeting criminal activities such as extortion and gambling conducted through the app.

An official has not ruled out the possibility of the platform being blocked or banned in the country. Telegram currently has over 5 million registered users in India.

Telegram recently made headlines in connection with the UGC-NEET controversy which sparked student protests and prompted intervention by the Supreme Court. The question paper for the medical entrance exam was leaked and allegedly circulated widely on Telegram. Reports indicate that the paper was being sold on the platform for amounts ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.

"Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all... It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform", the company said in a statement on August 26.