Modi's office probes website takedowns

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office called in Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal on Saturday to seek an account of how more than 100 websites were blocked using forged court documents, according to The Express Tribune. The meeting shortened Agrawal’s visit to another state, two officials familiar with the matter said.

The inquiry follows reports that telecom officials instructed internet providers to block 129 illegal betting sites after receiving emails from people impersonating lawyers. The episode has raised concerns that weak checks in India’s website-blocking process could expose legitimate sites to fabricated legal orders, while state police investigate suspected forgery and cheating by unidentified individuals. India’s telecom ministry oversees telecom operators and internet providers.