The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) to clarify whether the State has any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with allegedly defamatory and offensive social media content aimed at judges.
Background of the Case
The direction came during the hearing of a petition filed by Padma Shri awardee Hindu monk Swami Pradiptananda, also known as Kartik Maharaj, who has sought quashing of rape charges registered against him. The case relates to allegations made by a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions after being promised a teaching job at an institution linked to Bharat Sevashram Sangha.
The petitioner has denied the allegations and claimed that he was being politically targeted.
Hearing the matter, Justice Jay Sengupta took note of certain YouTube videos allegedly discussing the proceedings and targeting the judiciary.
The Court observed,
“Even on a day when this Bench did not sit, certain imputations were cast as if some adverse steps were being taken inside closed doors.”
The judge further noted that the videos contained “defamatory and contumacious outbursts” against judges of the High Court and described some of the content as “very disturbing indeed.”
The Court directed the State DGP to file a report explaining whether any SOP exists for taking action against “grossly offensive” and allegedly false social media posts, including procedures for removal of such content.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 22, 2026.
Case Title: Maharaj Swami Pradiptananda @ Kartik Maharaj v. State of West Bengal
Case Number: CRR 2832 of 2025
Judge: Justice Jay Sengupta
Decision Date: May 21, 2026
