Delhi Court Issues Summons To YouTuber Dhruv Rathee In Rs 20 Lakh Defamation Suit By BJP Leader Suresh Nakhua

A Delhi Court has issued summons to YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation suit filed by BJP Mumbai spokesperson Suresh Karamshi Nakhua.

Nakhua has alleged that Rathee referred to him as a part of “violent and abusive trolls” in his YouTube video titled “My Reply to Godi Youtubers | Elvish Yadav.”

He has sought Rs. 20 lakhs damages from Rathee for “defamation caused to him on cyber space.”

District Judge Gunjan Gupta of Saket Courts issued summons in the defamation suit filed against Rathee, as well as Google LLC and X Corp.

“Issue summons of the suit and notice of the application u/o 39 Rule 1 and 2 CPC to the defendants, subject to steps by all modes i.e. PF & RC/Speed Post/ Approved Courier including electronic mode for 06.08.2024,” the court ordered.

Nakhua alleges that in the video in question, Rathee has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hosted “violent and abusive trolls like Ankit Jain, Suresh Nakhua, and Tajinder Bagga” at his official residence.

“The video in question has received over 24 million views and more than 2.3 million likes, a number that continues to soar with every passing moment,” the suit states.

It adds that as a result of Rathee's allegedly defamatory statements in the video, Nakhua's reputation has been severely damaged. It adds that the allegedly false accusations made by Rathee have led to widespread condemnation and ridicule of Nakhua, causing irreparable harm to his personal and professional life.

“That the Defendant No.1 is also engaged in committing habitual defamation, giving online threats, deteriorating fellow YouTuber's careeretc. by using his audience which runs in over 23.3 million subscribers on YouTube and over 2.6 million followers on X platform,” the suit reads.

The suit seeks to restrain Rathee from tweeting, posting or creating any content on YouTube or X Corp regarding Nakhua. 

Advocates Raghav Awasthi and Mukesh Sharma appeared for Nakhua.