Bengaluru Court Orders Meta and Google to Block 'Defamatory' Video
A Bengaluru court has ordered Meta and Google to block a video by Jayant Shilanjan Mundhra for allegedly defaming Embassy Developments Limited.
In a significant legal move, a Bengaluru civil court has stepped in to restrain content creator Jayant Shilanjan Mundhra from sharing allegedly defamatory content targeting Embassy Developments Limited. The court has not only prohibited the creator from publishing such statements but has also directed tech giants Meta Platforms Inc and Google to scrub a specific video from their platforms within India.
The Court's Strict Mandate
The order, passed on October 17 by the XXIV Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, comes as part of Original Suit No. 7740 of 2026. The lawsuit was filed by Embassy Developments Limited, represented by Advocate Chintan Chinnappa, under the Code of Civil Procedure.
The court has issued a comprehensive restraint against Mundhra, as well as his agents, representatives, and anyone acting in concert with him. They are now barred from creating, uploading, broadcasting, or circulating any statements that are defamatory toward the company. This restriction specifically applies to the content found in a video dated September 3, 2026, or any other material that carries a similar "defamatory sting."
Directives for Tech Giants
The legal battle extends beyond the content creator. The court has arrayed Meta Platforms Inc, Google India Private Limited, and Google LLC as defendants, ordering them to take immediate action. The platforms must take down, delete, or block access in India to the identified video.
The court's direction is exhaustive, covering not just the original upload but also:
- Re-uploads and mirror versions of the video.
- Short clips and screen recordings.
- Translations of the content.
- Any substantially similar versions of the video.
The tech companies were ordered to comply with these directions within 24 hours of being notified of the order.
Broad Reach of the Injunction
Interestingly, the court also issued a restraint against a "John Doe" defendant—a legal placeholder used for unidentified persons—to ensure that any other anonymous users sharing the same defamatory content are also covered by the injunction.
What Happens Next?
It is important to note that this is an ad-interim ex parte order, meaning it was granted at an early stage without hearing the defendants first. The court clarified that these directions are temporary and do not constitute a final judgment on whether the statements are actually defamatory.
The plaintiff has been directed to comply with the necessary procedural rules of the Code of Civil Procedure. Summons and notices have been issued to the defendants, and the case is scheduled for its next hearing on November 23, 2026.