The Delhi High Court has resolved the defamation suit filed by Anjali Birla, daughter of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, ordering Google and X (formerly Twitter) to remove defamatory social media posts against her. The case was closed after the court verified that most of the objectionable posts had been removed or blocked by the platforms.
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Anjali Birla, an IRPS officer, approached the court against various social media posts that alleged she cleared the UPSC exam in her first attempt using corrupt means and misusing her father's influence. Justice Jyoti Singh of the Delhi High Court decreed her suit, which was filed against X (previously Twitter), Google, and other unknown entities (John Doe).
Justice Singh, while decreeing the suit, was informed by X's counsel that out of 16 objectionable posts, 12 had been voluntarily removed by their originators, and access to the remaining four was blocked by X following an interim court order. The court then directed X to remove these four posts permanently.
The court also directed Google to remove one blocked post in compliance with the interim order. It further instructed that if Anjali Birla identifies any identical defamatory posts in the future, X must take them down upon her notice.
"Character Assassination Damaging Reputation" - Anjali Birla's Stand
Anjali Birla argued in her complaint that these social media posts were damaging her reputation with false allegations, character assassination, and derogatory comments. She emphasized that the spread of such defamatory content was harming her public image and personal standing.
Following Birla's complaint, an FIR was registered by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell against a Twitter handle named "Dhruv Rathee (Parody)" and several other accounts. The FIR cited violations under Sections 78, 79, 318(2), 352, 356(2), 353(2), and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, 2023, along with Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
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Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar represented Anjali Birla, with the plaint filed by Advocates Aditya Bharat Manubarwala and Sanyam Khetarpal. The court noted that Anjali Birla did not pursue claims for damages or refund of court fees.
Justice Singh also clarified that all legal questions raised by the parties remain open.
"If identical posts are reported, they must be removed" - Delhi High Court
The court maintained that if any similar defamatory posts against Anjali Birla appear in the future, they must be promptly removed by the social media platforms. This order ensures ongoing protection for Birla against defamatory content.
Title: Anjali Birla v. X Corp. and Ors.
