
The Delhi High Court has sought a response regarding an application filed by Aaradhya Bachchan, requesting a summary judgment in her 2023 lawsuit against the circulation of false information about her health on various websites.
Aaradhya Bachchan, daughter of Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, filed a plea seeking the removal of misleading and defamatory content related to her health. This petition follows a prior court order directing Google and several entertainment websites to remove the false information highlighted in her earlier lawsuit.
Justice Mini Pushkarna, who heard the arguments from Aaradhya’s legal counsel, issued notices to the defendants, including Google and multiple websites.
The case is scheduled for its next hearing on March 17.
The lawsuit was filed against Bollywood Times, Google, and other digital platforms disseminating the misleading content. Aaradhya’s counsel contended that the defendants had lost the right to submit written statements due to an expired deadline.
Previously, the court had issued an interim injunction in her favor, barring the defendants from publishing any misleading or defamatory information about her physical or mental well-being.
Reiterating its stance, the Delhi High Court underscored that every child, regardless of their celebrity status, must be treated with dignity and respect. The court also emphasized that the unauthorized circulation of information about a child’s physical or mental health is unlawful.
In a prior directive, the court instructed Google to reveal the identities of individuals managing the accounts responsible for posting such content and to take immediate measures to deactivate the related URLs.
Furthermore, the Central Government was directed to restrict access to any videos or clips spreading false information regarding Aaradhya Bachchan’s health. In compliance, YouTube’s legal counsel stated that they would provide relevant details about the operators of the channels in question.
This case highlights the increasing concern over the misuse of digital platforms for disseminating false and defamatory content, especially concerning minors. The court’s strong stance aims to reinforce legal safeguards against misinformation and protect the dignity of children, ensuring responsible digital practices.