Delhi HC orders takedown of defamatory content against BJP MP Raghav Chadha, refuses blanket removal
PTC News Desk: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the take down of certain defamatory content on social media against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Raghav Chadha, while asserting that there was no element of personality rights involved in his suit.
For context, Chadha had sought take down of “defamatory” content allegedly showing that he “sold himself for money.”
Justice Subramonium Prasad held that the case did not, at this stage, involve a violation of personality rights. However, the judge directed the removal of five posts that it found to be prima facie defamatory.
“There is no personality right involved. However, I have ordered take down of only five documents. Rest is not defamatory prima facie,” Justice Prasad said while pronouncing its order.
Chadha in his plea alleged that an orchestrated social media campaign including malicious AI content, deepfakes and manipulated videos was launched on the social media in order to sabotage his reputation following his removal as the Deputy Leader of the AAP in the Rajya Sabha and subsequent joining into the BJP.
Justice Prasad, however, questioned whether such allegations could be brought within the ambit of personality rights. “As a political leader, can you be sensitive…,” the court observed, adding that there was a distinction between “commercialising personality rights and criticism”.
The court also cited an earlier ruling in the case involving Shashi Tharoor, where it protected his personality rights, recognising that his unique speaking style and mannerisms were closely associated with his public identity.
- PTC NEWS
