The Delhi High Court has instructed several news channels and social media platforms, including Google, YouTube, and Meta, to remove content alleging an extramarital affair involving politician Vijaya Sai Reddy.
Reddy, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party, sought legal action to address the spread of defamatory material.
Justice Vikas Mahajan issued an interim order directing six news channels and various social media accounts to take down the allegations, labeling them as baseless rumors that could harm the reputations of both Reddy and the woman involved. The court’s decision aims to prevent further damage to their dignity.
In the court’s words, “Based on the submissions made by Advocate Amit Agrawal, counsel for Vijaya Sai Reddy, as well as the material on record, I am of the prima facie view that there is substance in the submissions made by Advocate Agrawal. The alleged videos and posts contain defamatory and libelous allegations and insinuations, made recklessly without regard to the truth, with the intent to injure the plaintiff’s reputation.”
The court further stated, “Considering the above-noted facts and circumstances in light of the aforesaid dicta, I am satisfied that the plaintiff has made out a case for the grant of ad interim relief. I am also satisfied that grave and irreparable loss and injury will be caused to the plaintiff if ad interim injunctive orders are not passed in his favor. The balance of convenience also lies in favor of the plaintiff.”
As a result, the court ordered several news channels to remove, restrict access to, or block the URLs of YouTube videos, Google posts, Facebook videos, and posts on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) that contain the defamatory statements within 10 days.
The injunction targets channels including ABN Andhra Jyothi, Mahaa News, TV5 News, BIG TV, Aadhan, and Wild Wolf TV. Vijaya Sai Reddy approached the High Court after these channels aired panel discussions accusing him of having an extramarital affair and fathering a child with the woman.
