Allahabad High Court Orders Social Media Platforms to Remove Defamatory Content Against Swami Ram Bhadracharya

 

The Allahabad High Court directed Facebook India, Instagram India, Google, and YouTube to take immediate steps to remove content that was allegedly defamatory toward Swami Ram Bhadracharya. A writ petition filed by eight disciples of Swami Ram alleged that a video uploaded by a YouTuber, titled “Rambhadracharya par Khulasa, 16 saal pahle kya hua tha,” contained abusive, insulting, and derogatory remarks. The video was said to have been published on August 29 and was circulating across multiple social media platforms.

Swami Ram Bhadracharya is a Padma Vibhushan recipient and a noted scholar who has been blind since infancy. He is the Chancellor of the Jagadguru Swami Ram Bhadracharya Divyang Vishwavidyalay. The petitioners argued that not only was his personal dignity harmed by the video, but the remarks also insulted people with disabilities. Despite cease-and-desist notices having been issued and representations made to both government authorities and the social media platforms, the content had not been removed prior to the court’s intervention.

The Court took the view that prima facie the content warranted action by the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. Under the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, platforms are required to act expeditiously upon receipt of a grievance concerning defamatory or unlawful content. The Court ordered the petitioners to submit a complaint to the grievance redressal officers of the platforms within a week. Upon receiving notice, the platforms must ensure immediate removal of the offending content.

Additionally, the Court has directed the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities to issue notice to the content creator, seek his explanation, and initiate appropriate action under the law protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. The petitioners were also ordered to serve notices on all respondents in the case and file an affidavit confirming compliance with the court’s directions within two weeks. The case is scheduled for further hearing on October 8, 2025.

In delivering this order, the Court emphasized that social media intermediaries and state authorities have legal and constitutional duties to prevent the spread of defamatory and insulting content, particularly when it targets individuals with disabilities or public figures of high regard. The direction reflects the judiciary’s increasing focus on ensuring responsible communication and protecting individual rights in the digital domain.

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