The Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern over the blocking of a woman’s mobile number on the basis of a complaint arising out of a matrimonial dispute, observing that the authorities appeared to have acted without adequately examining the facts of the case.
The Court noted that the number remained blocked for such a long period that it was eventually allotted to another subscriber, a situation it described as reflective of a highly casual approach by the authorities concerned.
A Division Bench of Justice J.J. Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena made the observations while hearing a criminal writ petition filed by Shraddha Pathak.
The petitioner claimed that her mobile number was blocked based on a complaint made by her husband, Abhishek Pathak, resulting in considerable trouble and disturbance to her daily activities.
The Bench was informed that the action had been taken by the Cyber Cell, Police Commissionerate, Lucknow, with reference to some order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India regarding blocking, debiting, freezing data received through the Cyber Portal.
However, after examining the personal affidavit filed by the In-charge, Cyber Cell, Police Commissionerate, Lucknow the Court found the explanation inadequate and irresponsible.
The Court observed that the material on record pointed to an ongoing matrimonial dispute between the parties and that the complaint appeared to have originated from the husband.
Significantly, the Court noted that,
“There is apparently a misuse in the petitioner’s case, who has a matrimonial discord with her husband and it is the husband, who has caused some kind of a bogus complaint to be lodged, in connection whereof the Cyber Cell has mechanically invoked the Home Ministry’s order to block the petitioner’s phone number, for such a long period of time, that it has been allotted to someone else.”
The Court further remarked that,
“The petitioner wants her number restored but the In-charge Cyber Cell now says that the Telecom Company has assigned it to some other customer. A citizen cannot be wronged in this manner by a callous handling by the State Agencies.”
Taking note of the situation, the Bench directed the officer in charge of the Cyber Cell, Lucknow, to immediately coordinate with the concerned telecom service provider and initiate steps for restoration of the petitioner’s mobile number.
The officer has also been asked to submit a fresh personal affidavit within a week indicating the action taken in compliance with the order.
Notice was further issued to Abhishek Pathak (husband) seeking his response regarding the basis of the frivolous complaint against her wife.
The matter has been further listed on 27.05.2026.
Case: Smt. Shraddha Pathak vs State of U.P. and 4 Others
Case No: Criminal Misc. Writ Petition No. – 5017 of 2026
Date of Order: 15.05.2026
Status: Pending
