Delhi High Court orders removal of defamatory posts on Raghav Chadha
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the removal of certain defamatory content targeting Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha while clarifying that the case did
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the removal of certain defamatory content targeting Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha while clarifying that the case did not involve any issue of personality rights. Hearing Chadha's suit, Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that only some of the content identified by the petitioner was defamatory. "I have passed directions to take down certain contents... rest is not defamatory," the judge said while pronouncing the order. Read Full Story The court also made it clear that the suit did not raise any issue relating to personality rights, limiting its consideration to allegations of defamation.
MAY 21 SETBACK FOR CHADHA The latest order is a partial relief for Chadha and comes weeks after the same judge had declined to grant interim relief to Chadha, observing that criticism, satire and cartoons targeting political figures cannot be curbed merely because they are unpalatable. The suit arose after social media posts allegedly criticised Chadha's political switch from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party. While hearing Chadha's plea alleging misuse of his image and persona on social media platforms, Justice Prasad had remarked that the posts in question related to criticism of decisions taken in the political arena.
"There is a thin line between defamation and criticism. The first impression in my mind. Prima facie, there is no personality rights violation. A decision taken by you in the political arena is being criticised," the court noted on May 21. CHADHA'S LAWYERS WELCOME DECISION Following Wednesday's order, Chadha's counsel, Satatya Anand and Nikhil Aradhe, welcomed the decision, saying it reinforced that freedom of speech cannot be used as a shield for orchestrated campaigns aimed at defaming individuals. Describing the ruling as significant, the lawyers said the order was "an important step towards ensuring quick action against organised online defamation and protecting the dignity of public discourse." CHADHA'S ARGUMENTS IN COURT According to the lawyers, Chadha argued before the court that a coordinated and allegedly paid social media campaign was being carried out through multiple professional agencies with the objective of damaging his public image and reputation.
They contended that material placed before the court showed several social media accounts and influencers had allegedly published through influencer marketing agencies. The lawyers further claimed the posts were disseminated across numerous social media handles within minutes, indicating a coordinated effort to amplify false narratives and inflict irreparable reputational harm. Ends
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