Sameer Wankhede, wife move Mumbai court to restrain Google, Facebook, Twitter from allowing defamatory content

Sameer Wankhede, the Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and his wife Kranti Redkar (plaintiffs) have moved a Mumbai court seeking permanent injunction against social media companies from putting up false and malicious news/ statements against them. .The couple filed a civil suit in the City Civil Court at Dindoshi, Mumbai against social media giants including Google India, Facebook and Twitter, which provide communication and networking services to people to share information online. “Immediately block the concerned individuals who have been trying to malign and assassinate the character of the plaintiffs (couple) from being displayed on their platforms in any manner," the suit prayed..In the suit filed through Rex Legalis law firm, Wankhede submitted that since his posting and location of work is Mumbai, he comes into contact with people from the film industry and police officials. .The modus operandi was that social media sites and the mainstream media interchangeably feed off each other with respect to defamatory content/ news. The plaintiffs claimed that various news channels operate without restrictions through the social media platforms which the defendants have provided and sponsored misinformation is being spread against them using the same.It was further contended that the misinformation campaign against Wankhede is being carried out by those who are affected by the investigations being carried out by Wankhede in his official capacity.The suit submitted that the social media companies have failed to take steps against the defamation and smear campaigns against the plaintiffs. .It was further alleged that statements were being made only on social media and were being made by political leaders and others ”all of whom have sold their civic sense, conscience, morality, etc. either to money or cheap ticket to Bollywood”. .The couple, therefore, prayed that social media companies be restrained from allowing such unsubstantiated and baseless posts against the couple or any member of their family on the social media websites.