Kochi: Legal experts say that John Doe Injunctions can be an effective tool to counter ruthless attacks carried out anonymously in cyberspace. These injunctions are particularly useful in promptly halting cyberattacks that grossly violate standards of decency and lawful conduct.

Currently, provisions under laws including the IT Act are often inadequate for swiftly curbing anonymous online trolling targeting individuals or institutions. That’s where a John Doe Injunction becomes a valuable legal remedy. Civil courts have the authority to issue such injunctions.

In these cases, petitions are filed by companies or individuals, naming unidentified attackers as John Doe, alongside known parties if applicable. Courts then issue John Doe Injunctions, and social media platforms are legally obligated to block posts referencing or targeting the person or entity in whose favour the order has been granted.

Even when complaints are filed with grievance officers of social media platforms regarding cyberattacks, action is often delayed or absent. "That’s where the John Doe injunction becomes especially helpful," said Advocate Reena Abraham. These orders are sent directly from the court to the grievance officers of the respective social media platforms.

Indian courts have been issuing such orders since 2008.

What’s the John Doe injunction?

A John Doe injunction is a legal order issued by a court against unidentified or anonymous individuals believed to be violating a plaintiff’s rights, often used in intellectual property cases such as piracy.