Plaintiffs Secure Takedown of Morphed and Defamatory Videos; Google LLC/YouTube Directed to Disclose Uploader Information
In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court, presided by Justice Mini Pushkarna, has granted interim relief to the plaintiffs, Sadhvi Deepika Bharti and another, in a case concerning copyright infringement and defamation. The plaintiffs had sought an injunction against the Satlok Ashram Foundation and others for the creation and dissemination of morphed and defamatory videos that allegedly violate their copyright and falsely associate them with the defendants' organization.
The court, after hearing the arguments, found a prima facie case in favor of the plaintiffs, determining that the balance of convenience lies with them and they would suffer irreparable harm if interim relief was not provided. As a result, the court issued orders directing Google LLC/YouTube, the sixth defendant, to take down the infringing content from its platform and to disclose the basic subscriber and account information of the uploader responsible for the video.
The legal representatives for the plaintiffs argued that the videos unlawfully used and altered their original discourse and content, misleadingly portraying an association with the Satlok Ashram Foundation. The court recognized the fabricated and malicious nature of the video content, which infringes on the plaintiffs' copyright and damages their reputation and goodwill.
Earlier, the court had issued similar orders on August 1, 2025, and September 26, 2025, restraining defendants from creating and hosting such content. Despite these orders, the plaintiffs discovered another infringing video, prompting them to seek further legal intervention.
The court's directive extends until the next hearing, scheduled for September 24, 2026. In the interim, Meta Platform (defendant no. 7) was removed from the case after complying with previous court directions. The plaintiffs are required to file an amended Memo of Parties before the next hearing date.
This case underscores the legal challenges faced in the digital age concerning intellectual property rights and defamation, highlighting the court's role in safeguarding individuals against unwarranted harm through digital platforms.
Bottom line:-
Copyright infringement and defamation - Plaintiffs seek interim relief against dissemination of morphed and defamatory videos that violate their copyright and falsely associate them with the defendant's organization.
Statutory provision(s): Civil Procedure Code, 1908 Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2, Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
Sadhvi Deepika Bharti v. Satlok Ashram Foundation, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2904769
