The Bombay High Court has directed two YouTubers to delete six videos from their channels after finding the content to be prima facie defamatory against Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan.
Justice Arif Doctor, presiding over the matter, passed the order on May 8 after reviewing the videos and transcripts. “The statements made by defendants in the videos, as discerned from the transcripts, are in my prima facie view per se defamatory,” the court observed.
The court has ordered the immediate removal of the six videos from YouTube and restrained the defendants from uploading any further videos or posts containing defamatory allegations against Mahajan. The case has been posted for further hearing on June 20.
The defamation suit was filed by Mahajan against YouTuber and journalist Anil Thatte and another individual, claiming that they had circulated false, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations. In an interim plea, Mahajan sought a direction to have the allegedly defamatory content removed.
Of the six contested videos, five were published on the channel Anil Gaganbhedi Thatte, operated by Anil Thatte, while one was featured on Mudda Bharat Ka, run by Shyam Giri.
Advocate Ravi Kadam, representing Mahajan, argued that the videos included false statements and insinuations regarding the minister’s conduct with a lady IAS officer. Kadam stressed that the statements were completely baseless, reckless, and defamatory.
The High Court’s order provides interim relief to the minister while the case remains under judicial consideration.
