Swami Rambhadracharya Defamation: HC Orders Meta, Google to Take Down Video Within 48 Hours

Allahabad HC Directs Meta, Google to Take Down Defamatory Video on Swami Rambhadracharya Within 48 Hours.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has ordered Meta Platforms Inc and Google LLC to remove content deemed defamatory and insulting to Padma Vibhushan awardee and spiritual leader Swami Rambhadracharya within 48 hours of receiving the URLs from the petitioners.

The directive came on October 8, 2025, from a division bench of Justices Shekhar B Saraf and Prashant Kumar in a petition filed by Sharad Chandra Srivastava and seven other disciples of Swami Rambhadracharya. The petitioners alleged that a video uploaded on August 29, 2025, by Gorakhpur-based YouTuber Shashank Shekhar on his channel Bedhadak Khabar contained defamatory remarks and abusive language targeting the spiritual leader.

Titled “Rambhadracharya par Khulasa, 16 saal pahle kya hua tha”, the video circulated across platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Google, sparking outrage among the followers of Swami Rambhadracharya. Petitioners argued that the content not only tarnished the saint’s reputation but also insulted the dignity of persons with disabilities, noting that the blind spiritual leader has devoted his life to promoting Sanskrit, literature, and education for differently-abled individuals.

Previously, on September 17, 2025, a separate division bench had expressed concern over inaction by digital platforms despite a cease-and-desist notice sent on September 3. The court had then directed Facebook India, Instagram India, Google, and YouTube to take immediate action under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Lucknow was also asked to initiate proceedings under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

During the October 8 hearing, Meta’s counsel informed the court that the company could not act without the specific URLs of the content. The bench directed the petitioners to provide the links, after which Meta must remove the video within 48 hours.

Google’s counsel informed the court that one of the URLs cited in the petition had already been removed and assured that any additional links would be promptly addressed. The Uttar Pradesh government, represented by Additional Chief Standing Counsel Pankaj Khare, said a notice had been issued to the YouTuber, summoning him on October 18, 2025, to explain his actions.

The court allowed three weeks for respondents to file counter-affidavits, with one week thereafter for petitioners’ rejoinders. The next hearing is scheduled for November 11, 2025.