The Calcutta High Court has ordered social media platforms to remove a documentary concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani, blocking its publication, uploading and sharing until January 31, 2027, or until further orders.
Justice Aryak Dutt passed the interim order on Monday after Adani Enterprises Limited sought an injunction against tech entrepreneur Sabeer Bhatia and others. The company alleged that the documentary contained false and defamatory statements and sought a ban on its circulation, along with damages for defamation.
The order applies to the respondents, including the owners and operators of X, YouTube and Instagram, as well as their agents and anyone acting under their authority. They have been restrained from publishing, republishing, uploading or sharing the documentary, or any clip, excerpt or materially identical reproduction, through any medium or platform.
The court directed the platforms to remove or disable access to the video at every URL listed in the petition. They were also ordered to disable reposts, quote posts, shares and other engagements through which the video remained accessible at those URLs.
The platforms have additionally been directed to preserve subscriber information, registration details, IP logs recorded at the time of upload and access logs relating to the accounts and URLs listed in the petition. Where account holders cannot be identified from the list, YouTube, X and Instagram must disclose their basic subscriber information in a sealed cover through an affidavit filed within two weeks of receiving the order.
The petitioner told the court that access to the original YouTube upload had already been disabled in India, apparently following a complaint by the government under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Despite that action, the petitioner alleged that the documentary continued to be re-uploaded, reposted and circulated through other YouTube channels, X accounts and Instagram reels.
The court clarified that its order does not prevent constructive criticism or fair reporting concerning the petitioner, the Adani Group or any government policy. The restriction applies to the impugned video, its reproductions and the defamatory statements referred to in the petition. The clarification distinguishes the blocked material from wider reporting and criticism on matters involving the company or public policy.
The case also places preservation and disclosure obligations on platforms while the court considers the defamation claims. Adani Group’s counsel argued that the right to reputation is an integral part of Article 21 of the Constitution. The respondents have been directed to file their affidavits-in-opposition within four weeks of service of the order, after which the petitioner will have two weeks to file its reply.
The matter is scheduled to come before the regular bench in the monthly list for January next year. The interim injunction will remain in force until January 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
