Digital news platform Molitics’ Instagram account was suspended in India on April 18, 2026, days after its Facebook page was restricted there. The development comes as the Facebook restriction is being challenged before the Delhi High Court.

According to a screenshot shared by Molitics editor Neeraj Jha on Twitter, Instagram informed the platform: “We suspended your account, Molitics. 180 days left to appeal, or we’ll permanently disable your account. Suspended on 18 April 2026.” As the reason, Instagram stated: “Too much activity on your account doesn’t follow our Community Standards.”

Molitics questions lack of prior notice, files an appeal: Responding publicly, Jha said, “On 28 March, Meta restricted our @moliticsindia Facebook page in India. And today, the Instagram account has been suspended as well. Reason, ‘Too much activity that violates community standards.” He added, “If that was the case, then whenever it was being violated, you should have informed us. Why were you giving us the option to join an event just four days ago?”

Jha said the platform had filed an appeal and completed verification through OTP. He also noted that a backup account had been created and asked users for help.

The Instagram suspension follows earlier action against Molitics’ Facebook page. On April 16, the Court sought responses from the government and Meta Platforms. The bench, led by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, asked under which legal provision the page was blocked and sought clarity on the mechanism.

Appearing for Molitics, advocate Apar Gupta argued for immediate restoration, stating the platform is a news organisation with over 40 employees and not an internet troll. Meta’s counsel told the Court it needed time to respond and said it was unclear which government agency had ordered the blocking.

In its petition, Molitics said the Facebook ban was imposed following “an undisclosed notice” under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. It argued that it was not given notice or a chance to respond, and that the law allows removal of specific content, not a blanket ban on the entire page. The platform also claimed the action violates procedural safeguards under the IT Rules, 2021, and the fundamental rights.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 23.

Read more about our coverage on censorship 2026

• Censorship tracker of March 2026: what the Indian government didn’t want you to see
• Censorship tracker: Meta blocks Facebook accounts of news outlets & satirist under IT Act
• Your take: How the public is reacting to MeitY’s latest draft amendments to IT rules?
• Section 69A crackdown: multiple X accounts withheld in India in response to legal demands
• X Users Report Posts Withheld In India Under Section 69A, No Reasons Given