The Delhi High Court directed the removal of social media posts, videos, and other online content that allegedly blamed a sitting High Court judge for the deaths resulting from the Saket building collapse. The order was passed in a defamation suit filed by Justice Amit Bansal, who contended that false and defamatory material was being circulated on various social media platforms portraying him as responsible for the tragic incident. The Court found that the allegations appeared to be prima facie defamatory and unsupported by any factual foundation.
The proceedings arose in the aftermath of a building collapse in Delhi’s Saket area that resulted in multiple fatalities. Following the incident, several social media accounts and online channels allegedly began circulating content linking Justice Amit Bansal to the collapse. According to the suit, some of the posts and videos referred to the judge as a “murderer” and attempted to hold him responsible for the deaths caused by the incident. It was contended that these allegations had no basis in fact and were being widely disseminated through digital platforms.
Justice Amit Bansal approached the Court seeking protection against what was described as a deliberate campaign of misinformation. The suit asserted that various individuals and social media users had published and shared content falsely associating him with the building collapse. It was argued that the allegations were completely untrue and had caused serious injury to his reputation. The petitioner maintained that the circulation of such material not only affected him personally but also had the potential to undermine public confidence in the judicial institution.
During the hearing, the Court examined the social media posts, videos, and other material placed on record. The content allegedly attributed responsibility for the collapse to the judge and presented serious accusations as established facts. The petitioner argued that there was no official finding, investigation report, or evidence connecting him with the incident and that the allegations were therefore entirely baseless.
The Court considered the nature of the content and the manner in which it had been circulated online. It noted that the allegations were serious and had been disseminated across social media platforms, reaching a wide audience. The Court observed that such accusations, when directed against a sitting judge, could have significant consequences not only for the individual concerned but also for public trust in the judiciary.
While assessing the request for interim relief, the Court observed that judges occupy constitutional offices and discharge important public functions. The Court noted that the independence and credibility of the judiciary depend significantly on public confidence. It therefore considered it necessary to examine whether immediate intervention was warranted to prevent the further spread of material that appeared to be defamatory.
After considering the submissions and the documents placed before it, the Court found that the petitioner had established a prima facie case for protection. The Bench observed that the allegations contained in the impugned posts and videos appeared to be unsupported by any verified facts. The Court further noted that if such content continued to remain available online, it could result in ongoing harm to the petitioner’s reputation.
The Court therefore directed the removal of the identified social media posts, videos, and related online content that blamed Justice Amit Bansal for the building collapse and the resulting deaths. The directions were aimed at ensuring that the disputed material was no longer accessible on the platforms concerned while the case remained pending.
In addition to ordering the removal of the content, the Court issued notices to the individuals and entities alleged to have created, uploaded, or circulated the posts and videos. These parties were directed to respond to the allegations made in the suit and place their position before the Court. The proceedings were accordingly kept pending for further consideration after the filing of responses.
The Court emphasized that the matter involved allegations that appeared to have been made without any factual support. It observed that social media platforms provide extensive reach and that the rapid spread of misinformation can cause serious reputational damage. The Court noted that in cases where allegations are circulated as facts without any supporting material, judicial intervention may become necessary to protect the rights of affected individuals.
The petitioner contended that the content had gained substantial visibility online and had generated public discussion based on inaccurate information. According to the suit, viewers and readers were led to believe that the judge had some role in the collapse despite there being no official basis for such claims. The petitioner argued that the resulting narrative was misleading and unfairly targeted him.
The Court considered the balance between freedom of expression and the right to reputation. It observed that while freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it does not extend to the publication and circulation of false and defamatory allegations. The Court noted that the legal system provides remedies where reputational rights are threatened by unfounded accusations presented as factual assertions.
The order was passed at an interim stage of the proceedings. The Court clarified that it was not delivering a final determination on the merits of the dispute but was acting on the basis of the material available at that stage. The Bench found that the circumstances justified immediate relief in order to prevent further dissemination of content that appeared prima facie defamatory.
The proceedings specifically focused on the online content that attributed responsibility for the Saket building collapse to the judge. The Court confined its consideration to the allegations contained in the impugned posts and videos and the question of whether interim protection was necessary pending final adjudication.
As a result, the Delhi High Court ordered social media platforms and intermediaries to remove the identified posts and videos that described Justice Amit Bansal as a “murderer” or otherwise blamed him for the deaths caused by the Saket building collapse. Notices were issued to the concerned parties, and the matter remains pending before the Court. The interim order was passed to prevent the continued circulation of allegations that the Court found, at the preliminary stage, to be prima facie defamatory and lacking any factual basis.
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