Delhi HC orders removal of social media posts accusing basketball player Kushal Singh of sexual misconduct

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the take down of allegedly defamatory Instagram posts, stories etc. uploaded by a Singaporean content creator, accusing Indian basketball player Kushal Singh of sexual harassment and predatory behaviour towards minors.

Justice Sachin Datta passed the interim order in a defamation suit filed by Singh over posts, reels and stories published on Instagram handles by one Muskaan Tiwari.

The Court directed Tiwari to immediately remove the flagged Instagram posts, reels, story highlights, captions, comments and related content which accused Singh of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or similar acts.

It added that if Tiwari failed to remove the content, Singh could approach the social media intermediary concerned which would have to ensure compliance with the order.

"Considering the circumstances, the defendant no.1(Tiwari) is directed to forthwith take down and remove all defamatory Instagram posts, reels, story highlights, captions, comments and other related published content pertaining to the plaintiff (Singh) on her instagram handle or other any account operated or controlled by her ... which falsely accuses, alleges or imputes any act of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or alike, to the plaintiff," the Court said.

The Court issued the direction after taking note of Singh’s claim that Tiwari was running a sustained social media campaign against him by continuously publishing fresh reels and stories.

It also noted his submission that the posts contained false allegations of sexual misconduct and had garnered thousands of views. Singh further alleged that Tiwari had asked her followers to tag basketball agencies to amplify the accusations.

Singh is a professional basketball player and currently a member of the senior Indian national basketball team. He has represented India at international events, including the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship in 2022.

According to his suit, Tiwari is a private individual residing in Singapore who began a sustained defamatory campaign against him on social media in July 2026.

Singh alleged that Tiwari published several posts, reels and stories containing false imputations concerning sexual misconduct, harassment and predatory conduct towards minors. He claimed that the publications had garnered thousands of views.

The Court has also sought Tiwari's response to the defamation suit. The defendants (including Tiwari) have been directed to file their written statements within 30 days of receiving the summons issued on the suit. .

The matter will be placed before the Joint Registrar of the Court on September 17 for completion of service and pleadings. It will be heard by the Court next on January 13, 2027.

Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta, along with Ritesh Kumar, Ankit Rajgarhia, Prabhav Bahuguna, Palak Sharma and Siddhant Ahirwal from Bahuguna Law Associates represented Singh.

[Read Order]