India’s government ordered internet providers to block 129 websites featuring gambling this year after receiving two purported court orders that Reuters found were fraudulent. The Department of Telecommunications issued directives on July 21 and September 2, covering 34 and 95 websites respectively, based on documents attributed to the Rajasthan High Court and Allahabad High Court. The Rajasthan High Court said the order bearing its name appeared fraudulent and did not exist on its server. The Allahabad High Court found its August 14 order was fake and filed a police complaint on November 6, prompting an investigation of unknown persons for alleged forgery and cheating. No arrests had been made. The documents carried court seals, national emblems and other features associated with genuine orders; one included a QR code that led to a random webpage rather than authenticating the order. It was unclear who created them or whether artificial intelligence was involved. The episode has renewed concerns about India’s strict online content-removal system, amid wider scrutiny of fabricated legal material. India’s Supreme Court in July set aside tribunal orders relying on non-existent judgments, while a U.S. judge recently disqualified lawyers over fabricated legal citations. The government says takedowns serve the public interest and maintain law and order, despite criticism that its blocking powers can suppress dissent. X also recently told an Indian court that police directives sent to two free-speech groups had been identified as fake.