Bombay High Court Orders Taking Down Of Six Videos Allegedly Defaming Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan

The Bombay High Court recently ordered taking down of six videos videos allegedly defaming BJP leader and Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan, which were uploaded by two YouTubers, both of whom are journalists.

Single-judge Justice Arif Doctor also restrained journalists Anil Thatte and Shyam Giri, who own YouTube channels - Anil Gaganbhedi Thatte  and Mudda Bharat Ka, respectively. 

"I find that a case for the grant of ad interim relief has been made out. The statements made by Defendant No. 1 (Anil Thatte) in the videos as discerned from the transcripts are in my prima facie view per se Defamatory. Defendant No.1 despite being served has chosen not to appear today and justify the basis on which the statements and insinuations have been made against the Plaintiff. Hence, there shall be an ad interim order in terms of prayer clauses (a) and (c) till the next date. Prayer clauses (a) and (c)," the judge said in the order passed on May 8. 

According to Mahajan, both Thatte and Giri have uploaded in all six videos making reckless and defamatory allegations and damaging his reputation. These videos were uploaded between April 1 and April 14. Five of these defamatory videos were uploaded on Thatte's channel while Giri uploaded one of them. 

in his submissions, Kadam pointed out two such 'objectionable' videos, titled - "How Girish Mahajan's Nights are Colourful" and “Girish Mahajan wants 100 Crores… another sensational revelation.”

While the first video made baseless allegations indicating Mahajan's 'involvement' with a senior woman IAS officer, for which Kadam claimed his client was 'reprimanded' by a senior Union Cabinet Minister.  The other video allegedly suggested his involvement in a financial misconduct.

Kadam claimed that Thatte even 'mocked' the 'cease and desist' notice sent by his client to the defendants yet they continued to make defamatory videos. 

Representing Mahajan, senior counsel Ravi Kadam told the bench that the offending videos were "gravely affecting Mahajan's reputation and goodwill."

Kadam highlighted the fact that these videos have been widely circulated and viewed by thousands of individuals, thereby exacerbating the damage caused to his client's reputation.

Having heard the submissions, Justice Doctor held the videos to be 'per se defamatory' and therefore granted ad-interim relief to Mahajan. 

The matter will be next heard on June 20.

Appearance: 

Senior Counsel Ravi Kadam along with Advocates Mayur Khandeparkar, Rohan Kadam, Prahlad Paranjpe, Shubra Paranjpe, Rushikesh Mundargi, Manish Kelkar, Subir Sarkar, Ativ Patel, Harshad Vyas, Viloma Shah, Viraj Raiyani and Yash Tembhe instructed by AVP Partners appeared for the Plaintiff.

Advocate Charu Shukla represented YouTube.

Case Title: Girish Dattatray Mahajan vs Anil Thatte (Suit (L) 14435 of 2025)

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Bom) 184

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