Delhi HC Orders Take Down Of Videos Alleging Extramarital Affair By YSRCP Leader Vijaya Sai Reddy, Says Allegations May Impact Career, Reputation

In an interim order, the Delhi High Court has directed news channels and digital media platforms to take down videos and posts alleging that Vijaya Sai Reddy, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament for Andhra Pradesh, was involved in an extra-marital affair.

Reddy (plaintiff) filed a suit for injunction against news channels (defendant nos. 1 to 6), which include ABN Andhra Jyothi, Mahaa News, TV5 News, BIG TV, Aadhan and Wild Wolf TV.

Reddy contended that news channels and platforms falsely reported he was involved in an extramarital affair with a woman. The news platforms further claimed the woman was given exclusive access to restricted areas during the COVID-19 lockdown, engaged in land transactions and that there were financial exchanges between Reddy, the woman and her husband.

The videos and posts discussing these allegations were uploaded on various social media platforms, including YouTube, Google, Meta, WhatsApp, and X Corp (defendants nos. 7 to 11).

Justice Vikas Mahajan opined that the videos and posts prima facie contained “…defamatory and libellous allegations and insinuations, made in reckless manner without regard to the truth, to injure the reputation of the plaintiff.”

The Court noted that the statements made by the anchors and panelists/guests in the videos were not based on any evidence. It stated that the statements were based on rumours and thus not backed by any credible evidence.

It remarked,  “…it is trite law that rumours unlike truth must not be acted upon as an information for dissemination before the public at large especially when such rumours can potentially affect the dignity of a woman as well as the reputation of a person with whom the name of the woman is sought to be attached.”

The Court observed that as a member of Rajya Sabha, such statements could have adverse effects on Reddy's political career and reputation.

“The plaintiff is stated to be a sitting member of Rajya Sabha and the heedless allegations of the nature noted above not only bring his name into disrepute, but have the potential of adversely affecting his political career and reputation carefully built over the years.”

The Court held that the balance of convenience was in Reddy's favour and that a case for granting ad interim relief was established. It noted that, without this relief, Reddy would suffer irreparable loss and injury.

The Court directed the news channels and digital platforms to remove the videos and posts containing defamatory statements against Reddy from YouTube, Facebook, X, and Google. It stated that if they failed to comply, Reddy could approach the social media platforms to have the content removed from their platforms.

Case title: Sh. Venumbaka Vijaya Sai Reddy Vs. Aamoda Publications Private Limited & Ors. (I.A. 35696/2024 in CS(OS) 623/2024)

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 907

Click Here To Read/Download Order