The Delhi High Court recently issued an order instructing Telugu actor Manoj Manchu, ‘X’, and several media outlets to remove tweets, posts, articles, and videos that contained defamatory statements about media professional Vinay Maheshwari, in the case Mr. Vinay Maheshwari Vs. Mr. Manoj Manchu & Ors. The Court granted an ex-parte interim injunction in favor of Maheshwari, who had filed the case alleging defamation due to tweets made by Manchu.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in her ruling, found that Manchu’s tweets were prima facie defamatory and instructed him to remove them within a week. The Court also barred him from posting or sharing further defamatory statements regarding Maheshwari or his family on social media platforms, messenger services, or public forums.
The Court remarked, “The statements, made without any substantiation, are prima facie defamatory, alleging unethical and illegal behavior that has harmed the plaintiff’s professional reputation and personal standing. Allegations of malicious intent and interference in family matters portray the plaintiff negatively, leading to a loss of goodwill and public trust.”
Additionally, the Court directed Twitter to ensure that Manchu’s tweets were deleted. Media platforms such as ABP Network, GreatAndhra, IndiaGlitz, Onmanorama, and TeluguOne were ordered to take down the allegedly defamatory articles from all websites, social media channels, and platforms. They were also instructed to ensure that the articles were not accessible through any archives or databases.
The Court acknowledged Hindustan Times’ undertaking to reach out to Maheshwari and publish his version or clarification regarding the issue.
In its ruling, the Court also emphasized the long-lasting and widespread consequences of defamatory statements, particularly on digital platforms. “In matters involving digital platforms, the widespread and lasting impact of defamatory content is a significant factor in deciding whether to grant or refuse interim injunctions,” the Court stated.
Maheshwari, a respected media professional, has held prominent roles at Dainik Bhaskar Group, Sakshi Media Group, and India TV. In his complaint, Maheshwari accused Manchu of posting tweets that alleged financial misconduct and personal interference in Manchu’s family affairs, causing damage to his professional reputation. These tweets were subsequently amplified by various media outlets, further spreading the defamatory narrative.
The Court noted that the tweets and articles, in combination, created a sustained defamatory narrative against Maheshwari. “The acts of the Defendants, taken together, prima facie create a continuous defamatory campaign against the Plaintiff. These unsupported allegations have the potential to cause irreparable harm to the plaintiff’s professional and personal reputation,” the Court observed.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing before the Joint Registrar (Judicial) on February 17, 2025.
Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak, along with advocates Rohit Jain, Avinash Kumar Sharma, Aslam Ahmad, Neha Khanduri, and Komal Sharma, appeared for Maheshwari. Advocates Aditya Gupta and Asavari Jain represented Google LLC, while Advocate Amit Bajaj represented HT Media Ltd.
