[Shilpa Shetty suit] Traditional media may understand court rationale, not private bloggers: Bombay High Court

While hearing the defamation suit filed by Shilpa Shetty, the Bombay High Court directed the Bollywood actress to segregate the defendants into two categories – private vloggers and bloggers and traditional media outlets for ease in granting relief (Shilpa Shetty Kundra v. Clapping Hands Pvt Ltd)..The Court was hearing Shetty’s suit seeking an order restraining publication of incorrect, false, malicious, and defamatory information against her on social media and websites in connection with the arrest of her husband Raj Kundra.The New Indian Express, India TV, Free Press Journal, NDTV, Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook, among others, have been made parties to the defamation suit by Shetty..Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud informed the Court that Shetty was in talks with most of the defendants which included media outlets and private bloggers, etc. He added that most among them had agreed to remove the posts. Justice Gautam Patel, however, asked Chandrachud to segregate the defendants into private persons and media houses so that it is easier for the Court to pass orders.The Court reasoned that “traditional media will understand rationale and competent advice. We cannot say the same about these private vloggers and bloggers.” .Justice Patel had previously directed the media houses and social media platforms to ensure that videos made against Shetty in relation to the arrest of her husband Raj Kundra in a porn film racket case, are not uploaded back online after being removed. He added that none of the reportage on Shetty should pertain to the parenting of her children..Before adjourning the matter, Justice Patel expressed that his concern in the case was only pertaining to the minor children and the media attention they were being subjected to. “I am not concerned about Shilpa Shetty…she will handle herself. I am more concerned about her minor children. Media reports on Shetty’s personal life with her children… in such matters it is the children who are in the centre,” Justice Patel said..The Court adjourned hearing of the plea to October 1, 2021. “You (Shetty) are not going to be able to get a permanent injunction (against media reports) then why are you in a rush? This matter pertaining to Raj Kundra is going to go on for some more time,” Justice Patel said in conclusion..Freedom of press has to be balanced with right to privacy: Six observations of Bombay High Court in Shilpa Shetty defamation suit hearing