A major case of alleged fraud has come to light involving fake High Court orders used to block 129 illegal betting websites in India. The matter has triggered an internal investigation, with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) reportedly seeking details of the incident.
According to a Reuters investigation, officials in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) received two fake court orders, one claiming to be from the Rajasthan High Court and the other from the Allahabad High Court. Based on these documents, internet service providers were directed to block 129 betting websites this year.
Fake Court Orders Had Seals and Signatures
The forged documents reportedly contained fake court logos, official seals, signatures and QR codes to make them appear genuine. The orders were allegedly sent through email by individuals posing as lawyers. Officials reportedly relied on these documents while issuing website-blocking instructions.
Fake Order Found on Ministry Website
The matter came to light after questions were raised about the authenticity of the court orders. One of the fake orders reportedly remained available on the ministry's website until Saturday. The discovery raised concerns about the verification process followed before government departments act on judicial documents.
Internal and Police Investigations Begin
Following the revelations, an internal inquiry has been initiated. Police are also investigating the matter on charges related to forgery and cheating. Officials are now considering stricter verification procedures to ensure that only genuine court orders are used to block websites.
The case has also raised concerns about the possible misuse of fake legal documents against legitimate online platforms. The investigation will now focus on identifying those behind the forged orders and examining how the documents passed through the official system.