---
title: "Section 39: Bar of jurisdiction"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-39-bar-of-jurisdiction/
description: "Section 39 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (Bar of jurisdiction). Official text verbatim, in force since 13 november 2025, with…"
kind: act-section
updated: 2026-09-09
official_source: https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/06/2bf1f0e9f04e6fb4f8fef35e82c42aa5.pdf
text_type: official-text-plus-interpretation
publisher: MYND Integrated Solutions
license: Official Government of India texts are reproduced verbatim (public domain / open government data). Interpretation is CC BY 4.0, MYND Integrated Solutions.
disclaimer: Not legal advice. Official text prevails over any interpretation.
html_version: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-39-bar-of-jurisdiction/
---
# Section 39: Bar of jurisdiction

*The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (No. 22 of 2023), Chapter IX: MISCELLANEOUS. In force since 13 November 2025.*

## Official text

No civil court shall have the jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter for which the Board is empowered under the provisions of this Act and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power under the provisions of this Act.



## Interpretation in plain English (not legal advice)

> This is a plain-English interpretation of the official text, prepared by the DPDP Wiki editorial team. It is not the law and not legal advice, and it may be incomplete or wrong. Always rely on the official text of the Act, the Rules and the notifications, and take advice from a qualified professional for your situation.

Section 39 restricts the power of regular civil courts to hear cases related to data protection matters covered by this Act. Specifically, it states that no civil court has the jurisdiction to entertain any lawsuit or proceeding if the issue is something the Data Protection Board of India (the Board) is empowered to handle. If the Act gives the Board the authority to deal with a specific matter, individuals and organizations cannot bypass the Board by taking that issue directly to a civil court.\n\nThe section also prevents any court or other authority from granting an injunction regarding actions taken under the Act. An injunction is a legal order that stops a person or entity from taking a specific action. Because of this rule, courts cannot issue orders to pause, block, or interfere with any action that is being taken, or is planned to be taken, using the powers granted by the provisions of this Act.

### Key points

- Civil courts do not have the jurisdiction to hear lawsuits or proceedings about matters that the Board is empowered to handle.
- No court or other authority can grant an injunction against actions taken or planned to be taken under the powers of this Act.

### Common misreadings

- A person might think they can sue a Data Fiduciary in a regular civil court for a data breach, but if the Board has the power to handle it, civil courts cannot hear the case.
- A person might think a court can issue an order to pause an ongoing Board investigation, but the Act explicitly forbids courts from granting injunctions against actions taken under the Act's powers.

*Interpretation prepared 2026-09-09 from the official text only; the official text prevails.*

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Cite as: Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, s. 39. Official source: https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/06/2bf1f0e9f04e6fb4f8fef35e82c42aa5.pdf