HC Directs Meta and Google to Remove Defamatory Video on Swami Rambhadracharya Within 48 Hours

Allahabad HC Orders Meta and Google to Remove Defamatory Video on Swami Rambhadracharya Within 48 Hours.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed Meta Platforms Inc and Google LLC to take down defamatory and insulting content targeting Padma Vibhushan awardee and spiritual leader Swami Rambhadracharya within 48 hours of receiving specific URLs from the petitioners.

The order was issued on October 8, 2025, by a division bench comprising Justices Shekhar B Saraf and Prashant Kumar, in response to a petition filed by Sharad Chandra Srivastava and seven other disciples of Swami Rambhadracharya. The petitioners alleged that a video uploaded on August 29, 2025, by Gorakhpur-based YouTuber Shashank Shekhar on his channel Bedhadak Khabar contained defamatory statements and abusive language directed at the spiritual leader.

The video, titled “Rambhadracharya par Khulasa, 16 saal pahle kya hua tha”, circulated widely on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Google, causing outrage among followers. The petitioners contended that the remarks not only harmed the saint’s reputation but also insulted the dignity of persons with disabilities, noting that Swami Rambhadracharya, blind since infancy, has dedicated his life to promoting Sanskrit, literature, and education for differently-abled individuals.

Earlier, on September 17, 2025, a separate division bench had expressed concern over inaction by the platforms despite a cease-and-desist notice sent by the petitioners on September 3. The court then instructed Facebook India, Instagram India, Google, and YouTube to immediately remove the video under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Lucknow was also asked to take action under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

During the hearing on October 8, Meta’s counsel informed the court that the company could not comply with the prior takedown order without the specific URLs of the content. The bench agreed, directing the petitioners to provide the links. Once submitted, Meta is required to remove the content within 48 hours.

Google’s counsel stated that one link mentioned in the petition had already been deleted and assured the court that any additional URLs would be acted upon promptly.

On behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, Additional Chief Standing Counsel Pankaj Khare informed the court that a notice had been issued to the YouTuber, summoning him on October 18, 2025, to explain his actions.

The court allowed respondents three weeks to file counter-affidavits, with the petitioners given one week thereafter to submit rejoinders. The next hearing is scheduled for November 11, 2025.