Now Reading: Delhi High Court: Google email is no public function
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Delhi High Court: Google email is no public function
The Delhi High Court on Saturday, 10 October held that Google LLC does not perform a public function merely by providing email services. Justice Amit Mahajan dismissed a petition by Janta Live Press Network Private Limited seeking restoration of its Gmail account, which was disabled after alleged unauthorised access on 20 July.
The court ruled that provision of email accounts and their suspension on security grounds does not by itself constitute a public duty. Email services are commercial activities offered by several independent providers, the court noted, adding that the nature of the function, not the size or reach of the entity, decides whether a writ lies. The petitioners were granted liberty to pursue other legal remedies.
Indian Opinion Analysis
LiveLaw and Barandbench offer near-identical accounts of the Delhi High Court ruling. Both lead with the legal principle, that providing email does not constitute a public function, and attribute the same key observation to Justice Amit Mahajan. LiveLaw quotes the court’s rejection of the ‘size or reach’ argument and notes the dismissal with liberty to seek other remedies. Barandbench adds the names of the petitioners’ lawyers and the judges’ clarification that writ petitions lie only when a private entity discharges a public duty. There is no substantive framing difference: the coverage is uniform straight reporting, all from the same court order. The distinction between commercial and public functions is the central question, and neither outlet judges it.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): livelaw.in (neutral report), barandbench.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
