Content entrepreneur and educator Nitin Joshi has approached the Delhi High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a coordinated investigation into the alleged misuse of Instagram’s copyright reporting system. The petition asks for measures to strengthen transparency, improve due process, and protect genuine creators who depend on digital platforms for their work.
The matter came up before a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia on Wednesday. Justice Karia recused himself from hearing the case, following which the Chief Justice directed that the matter be listed before another Bench on July 28, 2026.
Nitin Joshi Raises Concerns Over Creator Protection
Nitin Joshi, Founder of Open Grey Media, has built a strong presence in India’s creator ecosystem through educational content focused on branding, business growth, positioning, monetisation, and entrepreneurship. With a community of more than 1.5 million Instagram followers, he is recognised for sharing practical business knowledge and helping aspiring creators and entrepreneurs build sustainable digital careers.
His latest legal initiative reflects growing discussions around the need for fair, transparent, and accountable systems on social media platforms as India’s creator economy continues to expand.
Petition Seeks Investigation Into Alleged Abuse
According to the petition, there are allegations that organised groups may be exploiting Instagram’s copyright reporting mechanism by submitting fabricated infringement complaints that result in legitimate accounts being suspended or restricted.
The PIL states that such complaints are allegedly filed through coordinated accounts, after which some affected creators are reportedly contacted and asked to make payments for the withdrawal of complaints or restoration of access.
The allegations are part of the petition and are yet to be examined by the Delhi High Court.
Request for a Special Investigation Team
One of the key prayers in the PIL is the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine the alleged organised cyber network behind such activities.
The petition also seeks preservation of digital evidence, including IP logs, payment records, account metadata, and other technical information that could assist investigators if the allegations are established during the course of the investigation.
It further requests authorities to trace financial transactions and identify individuals operating across domestic as well as international jurisdictions.
Focus on Better Safeguards for Digital Platforms
Beyond the investigation, the petition calls for improvements in the way copyright-related complaints are handled on major social media platforms.
Among the safeguards suggested are prior notice before enforcement action, mandatory human review for account suspensions, verification of copyright ownership, proportional enforcement, and a faster counter-notice mechanism for users who believe they have been wrongly affected.
The petition also proposes greater transparency through periodic reporting on copyright complaints and repeat complainants, which it argues could help identify unusual reporting patterns while strengthening trust in digital platforms.
Growing Importance of India’s Creator Economy
India’s creator economy has witnessed rapid growth over the past few years, with millions of professionals, educators, businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs using platforms such as Instagram to reach audiences, build brands, and generate income.
Industry observers say reliable platform governance has become increasingly important as social media evolves into a key business tool rather than simply a space for entertainment.
The petition highlights the importance of balancing strong copyright protection with fair procedures that also safeguard genuine creators from potential misuse of reporting systems.
Court to Consider Matter Later This Month
The Delhi High Court did not examine the merits of the allegations during Wednesday’s proceedings. Following Justice Tejas Karia’s recusal, the matter has been scheduled before another Bench on July 28, 2026.
The upcoming hearing is expected to determine the next course of action on the petition and the various directions sought regarding investigation, transparency, and procedural safeguards.
As digital platforms continue to play a central role in India’s economy, the case is likely to contribute to wider conversations around copyright enforcement, platform accountability, and creator protection. Legal experts believe that discussions arising from the matter could help shape stronger processes that protect both intellectual property rights and the interests of genuine digital creators.
