The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed News 8 Odia to remove videos and links relating to disputed material allegedly linking a senior railway officer to a blackmailing incident. The Court also restrained the channel from re-uploading the same material through any account or channel under its control while the investigation remains pending.
Justice Sunitha Gandham passed the order, while disposing of a writ petition filed by Anup Kumar Satpathy, a Divisional Railway Manager with the East Coast Railway.
Background
The petitioner approached the High Court alleging that News 8 Odia had circulated videos, edited audio recordings and morphed photographs linking him to an alleged blackmailing incident. He claimed that the content was subsequently shared through YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp, causing reputational harm.
Following his complaint, Visakhapatnam Cyber Crime Police registered Crime No. 507 of 2022 under Sections 469, 499 and 500 of the IPC and Section 72 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The police had also issued notices to YouTube and Meta Platforms seeking information about the circulation of the material and removal of the disputed content.
During the hearing, YouTube's counsel informed the Court that the concerned link had previously been removed but the same material was being uploaded again by respondent No. 7.
Considering the pending investigation, the Court observed:
"Having regard to the submissions made, and in view of the fact that the investigation is pending, this Court considers it appropriate to issue a direction to prevent continued circulation of the disputed link while leaving the investigation to proceed in accordance with law."
The Court clarified that it was not examining the truth of the allegations or determining anyone's culpability.
"No opinion is expressed on the truth or otherwise of the disputed material, the allegations made in the complaint, or the culpability of any person."
The High Court directed News 8 Odia to remove the re-uploaded links relating to the disputed material, insofar as they were within its control, and refrain from uploading or causing the same material to be uploaded again through accounts or channels under its control.
The investigating officer was permitted to continue the investigation and pursue requests already made to online platforms. The channel was also directed to cooperate with the investigation and respond to lawful police notices.
The writ petition was accordingly disposed of without any order as to costs.
Case Details
Case Title: Anup Kumar Satpathy v. Union of India & Others
Case Number: Writ Petition No. 37689 of 2022
Judge: Justice Sunitha Gandham
Decision Date: 30 October 2026
