Mumbai Court restrains publication, sharing of defamatory content against Arbaaz Khan on social media

A Mumbai Court has passed an interim injunction restraining Vibhor Anand, a Delhi-based lawyer; Sakshi Bhandari, TV anchor and unknown persons from posting or sharing any defamatory content against actor-producer Arbaaz Khan on social media. (Arbaaz Khan vs Ashok Kumar & Ors).The Court has also directed all to withdraw/recall/ take down the defamatory content in relation to Arbaaz Khan or his family members on all public domains and social media platforms..The order was pronounced by Judge VV Vidwans, Bombay Civil Court in a suit preferred by Arbaaz Khan. .Khan contended he is a well-known celebrity and that the false and defamatory material on social media was causing grave and irreparable harm and loss to his and his family’s reputation..The defamatory posts alleged that Khan was arrested and/or taken into unofficial custody of CBI and that he was involved in the death of Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salian. .Certain posts also alleged that he was involved in the gang rape of a minor girl. .Khan thus argued that if an interim protection was not granted and the activities of the defendants were not stopped, there would be a media trial against him..The Court was informed that a complaint with the Cyber Crime, Cyber Cell, Mumbai with respect to the defamatory allegations had been filed and a notice under Section 79(3)(b) IT Act, 2000 had been issued..In view of the submissions, the Court opined that Khan had made out a prima facie case for grant of interim protection till the time the defendants appear before court..While granting two weeks’ time to social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google, the Court directed,.“Defendants 1, 2 and 3 representing the unknown persons are hereby restrained from posting, reposting, tweeting, sharing, sending messages..on social media platforms ..until further orders.”Mumbai Court.The social media platforms have been directed to communicate the interim order to the competent authorities for its implementation..The matter would be heard next on October 12..Arbaaz Khan was represented Advocate Pradeep Gandhy instructed by a DSK Legal team comprising of Anand Desai, Managing Partner; Chandrima Mitra, Partner; Parag Khandhar, Associate Partner and Ashwini Hariharan, Senior Associate..Read the order: