Delhi High Court To Pass Interim Order For Taking Down Offensive Posts Against Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (September 25) said that it will pass an interim injunction order directing take down of allegedly defamatory posts over a video of Senior Advocate and BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia's recent appearance on a TV debate, which went viral on social media.

During the hearing Justice Amit Bansal said, "We will take take down of the offensive videos. If not taken down, you will inform them and they will take down". 

Bhatia who appeared in person along with advocate Raghav Awasthi submitted, "Please see this picture and title. Defendants who are party in the suit… your lordships may have an order. Please have one para to see the kind of relief I am seeking. Same defendants are posting same remarks..., after the hearing. They don't join, they are aware."

Bhatia argued that this can't be termed freedom of speech or satire. He said, "When you go to the extent of harming reputation of a person which is earned for many years". 

Meanwhile advocate Mamta Rani appearing for Google said that the court passes the order "email ids can be added". She said that no Basic Subscriber Information is  required because all details are provided.

"How will we serve them(defendant entities)?," the court inquired. To this Rani said that she was only submitting regarding Youtube.

During the previous hearing, the Court had indicated that while some of the posts may fall in the category of satirical comments or humour, but it will surely injunct the posts with references to “male private parts.”

The defamation suit names 22 defendants- Samajwadi Party Media Cell, journalist Abhisar Sharma, Congress leader Ragini Nayak, AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj, X handles Mohit Chauhan, Ranting Gola, Manoj Yadav, Manoj Singh Kaka, Manish Tiwari, Sandeep Singh, Roshan Rai, Swanaamdhanya, Rajkumar Bhati, Rofl Gandhi, Bolta Hindustan, Wg dr Anuma Acharya, Surendra Rajput, Srinivas, Newslaundry, News 18, five YouTube videos, X and Google India.

Advocate Raghav Awasthi appearing for Bhatia had told the Court earlier that the incident is of September 12 when Bhatia was live on a debate on News 18 channel from his house and the cameraman mistakenly took a shot showing him sitting in Kurta and shorts.

Awasthi had said that the impugned statements are invasion of Bhatia's privacy, as the viral pictures and videos were taken within the privacy of his home.

Awasthi had then submitted that Bhatia was most aggrieved by the statements wherein reference was made to “male private parts” and use of word “toti” in the post of Samajwadi Party Media Cell. Such words are not to be used in public discourse, he said.

Also appearing in person, Bhatia had told Court that while he appreciates Court's comment on being thick skinned, but the remarks made in the matter were by “irresponsible persons on the other side calling themselves media houses.”

Title: Gaurav Bhatia v. Samajwadi Party Media Cell & Ors

CS(OS)- 679/2025