Bombay High Court rejects Meta move to shift litigation to California

The Bombay High Court has denied Meta's request to transfer a lawsuit filed by Mumbai-based advertising agency Blink Digital to courts in California. The dispute began on August 4, when Meta disabled four of the agency's business manager accounts and approximately 9,000 ad accounts, citing policy violations.

Justice Sandeep Marne, in an October 27 order, stated that California courts lack the standing to interpret whether Meta violated India’s IT Act and Intermediary Rules. The court emphasized that because Meta’s Indian subsidiary is named as a defendant and operates out of Mumbai, Meta cannot circumvent local jurisdiction through its standard commercial terms.

Blink Digital is seeking an interim injunction to restore its access and is pursuing 1 billion rupees in damages. The agency claims it received no notice, no explanation for the suspension, and no meaningful opportunity to contest the decision. Meta has defended the move, alleging the agency engaged in prohibited activities including the promotion of scams and sexual services.

The ruling marks a significant development for businesses operating on global platforms within India. By keeping the case in Bombay, the court ensures that the application of local digital regulations remains under domestic judicial oversight rather than being relegated to foreign arbitration or litigation.