Remove video defaming Patanjali from International platforms: Delhi HC to Google, Youtube, FB

An injunction plea brought by Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda Limited against a video with defamatory, derogatory and hateful content has prompted the Delhi High Court to direct its removal from online platforms not just in India, but also internationally..The High Court had already directed Google, YouTube and Facebook to remove the offensive video from its platforms in India. Google later informed the Court that the video has been taken down given that it was found to violate YouTube’s safety and community guidelines. Facebook pointed out that since the source video has been taken down, it would no longer be available on its platform either..As for blocking the video internationally, it was submitted earlier that the matter would have to be heard in detail before an order to that effect could be passed..However, after it was found that the video in question was derogatory, defamatory, threatening and offensive, the Court has directed that the video be blocked internationally as well..Earlier, Patanjali had argued that there should be a fair mechanism to take down offensive content from online platforms upon receipt of a complaint, rather than wait for a direction from a court in this regard. It was submitted that by the time an aggrieved party approaches the court for relief, irreversible damage would already be done by the objectionable content..The Court has now directed that upon a request for removal being made, the concerned intermediary should take down the offensive video within 48 hours on international platforms as well. The order passed last week by Justice Prathiba M Singh states,.“If there are any further instances of the same video being uploaded, which come to the knowledge of the Plaintiffs, in view of the above findings of the Court, the Plaintiffs are permitted to intimate the Defendants and the Defendants shall take down the video within 48 hours.“.However, the Court goes on to clarify that this order cannot be treated as a precedent. Justice Singh has noted that whether or not offensive online content can be blocked internationally by court orders would depend on each individual case. The order states,.“The question as to whether platforms such as the Defendants can be directed to remove, block or disable content on the international domain and not merely on the India domain is left open to be adjudicated in an appropriate case. “.The plaint moved by Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda Limited was filed through advocates Simranjeet Singh, Rohan Ahuja, Sonali Dhir, and Aadhar Nautiyal of Athena Legal. Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar made arguments for the plaintiffs. Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya led the arguments for Google and YouTube, whereas Senior Advocate Parag Tripathi appeared for Facebook. .Image taken from here. .Read the order:.Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.