Court mandates action against offensive content related to Gaurav Bhatia’s television appearance.
The Delhi High Court has announced plans to issue directives for the removal of allegedly defamatory posts and videos concerning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gaurav Bhatia’s recent television appearance. This decision was reported by Live Law, and the bench presided over by Justice Amit Bansal emphasized that if the users who uploaded the content fail to remove it voluntarily, intermediary platforms like Google and X would be instructed to take down the material.
Bhatia’s appearance on a News18 program hosted by journalist Amish Devgan has come under scrutiny. During the show, he was filmed wearing a kurta without accompanying pants or pyjamas, a detail that has since been circulated extensively across social media platforms. Advocate Raghav Awasthi, representing Bhatia, argued that the image was captured in the privacy of Bhatia’s home and should not have been disseminated without his consent.
Awasthi further highlighted that Bhatia was particularly upset by social media posts that made references to “male private parts” and employed derogatory language. He asserted that such expressions are inappropriate for public discourse. The advocate’s remarks aimed to underline the need for civility in conversations about public figures.
During the court hearing, Bhatia articulated his position, stating that the posts in question could not be defended under the guise of free speech and constituted defamation. He expressed concern for his reputation, which he indicated was built over many years of hard work. Bhatia argued that the content in question transcends acceptable boundaries of humor and satire, asserting that it is a direct attack on his character.
The defamation suit filed by Bhatia identifies 22 defendants, which include the Samajwadi Party’s social media unit, Congress leader Ragini Nayak, Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj, and journalist Abhisar Sharma. Additionally, the suit names several news outlets, including Newslaundry and News18, along with various social media content creators such as Rofl Gandhi and Ranting Gola. Intermediary platforms Google and X are also included in the suit, reflecting the broad scope of the content being contested.
This legal action underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding social media usage and its implications for public figures. The court’s decision to potentially hold intermediary platforms accountable highlights the evolving legal landscape regarding online content, as public figures navigate the complex interplay between free expression and reputational harm in the digital age.
