Bombay High Court orders takedown of videos targeting BJP Minister Girish Mahajan

The Bombay High Court recently ordered the takedown of six allegedly defamatory videos targeting Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan [Girish Dattatray Mahajan v Anil Thatte and Ors]..It also restrained two YouTubers from publishing or circulating similar content pending the determination of a defamation suit filed by Mahajan.A single bench of Justice Arif Doctor, while granting ad-interim relief on May 8, 2025, noted that the material complained of was prima facie and per se defamatory.The judge further noted that the YouTubers (defendants) accused of uploading such defamatory content have not chosen to appear before the Court and defend their conduct.The Court held that in the absence of any defense, the allegations in the videos appeared to be “per se defamatory” and warranted immediate restraint..According to the civil defamation suit filed by Mahajan, six videos uploaded between April 1 and April 14, 2025, contain a series of false and damaging allegations. Five of these were published on the YouTube channel "Anil Gaganbhedi Thatte", run by YouTuber and journalist Anil Thatte, while one appeared on "Mudda Bharat Ka", operated by one Shyam Giri. Among the objectionable videos was one titled “How Girish Mahajan’s Nights are Colourful”, which allegedly made baseless insinuations involving a senior IAS officer. In another, titled “Girish Mahajan wants 100 Crores… another sensational revelation”, Thatte mocked potential legal notices and suggested the minister was involved in financial misconduct..Despite a cease-and-desist notice sent to Thatte on April 10, a further video containing disparaging remarks was uploaded on April 14.Appearing for Mahajan, Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam argued that the videos were “false, reckless, and defamatory”, aimed purely at sensationalism. He emphasized that the minister has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Jalgaon since 1995 and that such content, which had garnered substantial public viewership, posed serious harm to his reputation. Kadam also submitted that the defendants had demonstrated “scant regard for the law” by continuing their conduct even after receiving legal notices. No one appeared on behalf of Thatte or Giri. A third party, originally impleaded, was clarified to be an incorrect party, and the Court allowed the plaint to be amended to add Google LLC as a defendant, noting it operates the YouTube platform..Granting ad-interim relief, the Court directed that, “Pending disposal of the present suit, the Defendant No.1 and Defendant No.2… be restrained… from in any manner making, publishing or republishing… any defamatory and/or libellous or slanderous statements, video or articles… in relation to which the Plaintiff has taken objection.”.The Court further ordered that the six identified videos that contain the allegedly defamatory content be taken down. It also directed Mahajan to serve a copy of the order on Google LLC to ensure compliance with this takedown directive. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on June 20, 2025.Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam with Adocates Mayur Khandeparkar, Rohan Kadam, Prahlad Paranjpe, Shubra Paranjpe, Rushikesh Mundargi, Manish Kelkar, Subir Sarkar, Ativ Patel, Harshad Vyas, Viloma Shah, Viraj Raiyani, Yash Tembhe instructed by AVP Partners appeared for Girish Mahajan.Advocate Charu Shukla appeared for Google India Pvt. Ltd.[Read Order]