Delhi High Court tells SKOCH Group, Mint to redact Junglee Games' name from survey

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday passed an interim order directing think-tank SKOCH Group to remove the name and trademark of Junglee Games from advertisements related to a survey on responsible gaming, published on SKOCH's website and various social media platforms [Junglee Games v. Skoch Group]..Business newspaper Mint has also been instructed to redact Junglee Games' name and trademark from the SKOCH Group's advertisement about the survey. If redaction is not possible, Mint has been directed to take down the advertisement entirely.Justice Mini Pushkarna, passed the order, adding that this relief is subject to an elaborate hearing on the merits of the case on March 27. .The SKOCH Group conducts a comprehensive survey on responsible gaming in India, highlighting the growing need for regulatory frameworks and ethical practices in the online gaming industry. The survey assesses the adherence of gaming platforms to responsible gaming norms, including measures to prevent addiction, ensure fair play, and protect vulnerable users, particularly minors. It also evaluated the implementation of self-exclusion tools, spending limits, and transparency in algorithms. In December 2024, Skoch published this survey as an advertisement on the Mint. Junglee Rummy was among the platforms given a ranking of 10, in a survey that covered around 70 platforms. Junglee has contended that advertising the survey causes both disparagement and defamation to it. Junglee also argued that the companies that are in SKOCH group’s task force were ranked high up on the survey. Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, who appeared for Junglee Games told the High Court today,“Each day this advertisement continues to be up, it damages my reputation more. The balance of convenience is in my favour.”.Advocate Saikrishna Rajagopal, who appeared for SKOCH, refuted the claim. He argued that the organisation is a socio-economic think tank and that its awards are not purchased. He also opposed Junglee's plea for an interim injunction.“If an order of this nature was to be passed, it will result in the muzzling of free speech and the right to information. I am a 16-year old socio-economic think tank (working) as a charitable institution and a research facility," Rajagopal said.He added that SKOCH had put out an advertisement on the Mint because other newspapers may not be interested in publishing the entire survey. .Justice Mini Pushkarna proceeded to seek details on SKOCH's funding. “What is concerning is that it is argued that the members of the task force are rated at top. What is your source of income? The Court has to be satisfied that the survey is objective. What donations have you received from those rated at the top?” she asked. Advocate Saikrishna Rajagopal undertook to file an affidavit addressing the concerns raised by the Court as well as by Junglee Games. .Earlier, on January 17, the Court had passed a similar interim order on a plea filed by Games24x7, on finding that the online gaming platform had made out a prima facie case for such interim relief. .Senior Advocate Rao, who appeared for Junglee Games today, was briefed by Advocates Archana Sahadeva, Vandita Malhotra Hegde, Rishi Mody, Akshita Thapa and Maaz Ali Khan.