12-05-2025
Bombay High Court orders YouTubers to take down videos defaming Girish Mahajan
The Bombay High Court has ordered to take down six allegedly defamatory videos by two YouTubers, who are also journalists, targeting Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan.
Restraining the journalists, Anil Thatte and Shyam Giri, from publishing or circulating similar content on their YouTube channels — 'Anil Gaganbhedi Thatte' and 'Mudda Bharat Ka' — a Single Bench judge, Justice Arif Doctor in a May 8, 2025 order, made available on Monday, noted that the videos were 'prima facie defamatory'.
The judge observed, 'I find that a case for the grant of ad interim relief has been made out. The statements made by defendant no. 1 (Mr. Thatte) in the videos as discerned from the transcripts are in my prima facie view per se defamatory. Defendant no.1 despite being served notice has chosen not to appear and justify the basis on which the statements and insinuations have been made against the plaintiff (Mr. Mahajan). Hence, there shall be an ad interim order in terms of prayer clauses till the next date.'
Senior advocate Ravi Kadam, representing Mr. Mahajan, said six videos were uploaded on April 1, 8 and 14, 2025, making false, reckless and defamatory statements against the BJP leader.
Mr. Kadam argued, 'These video clips have not only garnered several views, but have also been widely disseminated to the public at large. There are presently six such offending videos, five of which have been uploaded on the YouTube channel of defendant no. 1 (Mr. Thatte), 'Anil Gaganbhedi Thatte' and one on the YouTube channel of defendant No. 2 (Mr. Giri), 'Mudda Bharat Ka'.
The court directed the YouTubers to immediately delete the six videos and directed Mr. Mahajan to serve a copy of the order on Google LLC to ensure compliance with the order. The Bench posted the matter for June 20.
