Plea Flags Border Security Risks: Allahabad HC Pulls Up Centre on Slow Internet in Bahraich
Allahabad HC directs Centre to improve internet in UP's border areas
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Union of India to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the steps being taken to improve the telecom network in the border areas of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in District Bahraich.
Court issued this direction while hearing a petition filed by Sushant Chandra Jaiswal, the director of a post-graduate college in the Chakujot area of Bahraich, who argued that the lack of proper network connectivity is severely affecting the education of his students and poses a security threat.
The single-judge bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia, in an order dated September 8, 2025, noted that the issue of non-accessibility to the internet is a "very serious one" and is, in fact, "a violation of the right to education"
The petition highlighted a critical issue affecting residents in districts bordering Nepal. According to the petitioner's counsel, Advocate Rajan Singh, students residing in the college's residential facility are struggling with their studies due to poor network availability
A significant aspect of the petitioner's argument was the widespread use of the Nepalese government's telecom network in these border regions, which is often considered "a better network than the one provided by the Indian Government in the neighbouring areas"
In response to the petition, a report was submitted on behalf of the Additional Director General, Telecommunications, Lucknow (respondent no. 2), which stated that mobile services are available in the Bahraich district with a download speed of 8.55 mbps and an upload speed of 1.37 mbps
"6.1 The mobile coverage at Chakujot District-Bahraich is available as stated in para 3 and 3.1 above.
6.2 All TSPs (BAL, RJIL & VIL) that all TSPs (BAL, RJIL & VIL) have completed minimum roll-out obligation for 2G, 4G mobile services in UP East License Service Area (LSA) that includes District-Bahraich.
6.3 After completing minimum roll-out obligation, expansion of mobile services beyond these obligations depends on the techno-commercial consideration of the TSPs," the report read.
Court, however, was not convinced by the report. It noted that the report "itself indicated that the network is extremely slow"
Court opined that the contention of the counsel for the petitioner that the entire educational system is failing due to the slow network appeared to have merit.
Therefore, court ordered the Union of India through the Secretary of the Ministry of Telecommunication and the Additional Director General, Telecommunications, Lucknow to file a detailed affidavit within three weeks
Court specified that the affidavit must be filed by an officer of the rank of Secretary and should indicate the steps being taken to improve the telecom network in the bordering areas
"In the said affidavit, it shall be specifically indicated as to what research has been carried out regarding the proper functioning of the network in the bordering areas and as to what corrective measures are proposed for improving connectivity," the order read.
Court also appointed Shri Syed Mohd. Haider Rizvi, Advocate, to act as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter
The case has been listed for a fresh hearing on October 8, 2025, with the court making it clear that no further time will be granted
Case Title: Sushant Chandra Jaiswal vs. Union of India and 2 Others
Order Date: September 8, 2025
Bench: Justice Pankaj Bhatia