Karnataka High Court Order Restoring The Liver Doctor's X Account To Continue Till Trial Court's Decision On Himalaya's Plea For Interim Injunction

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday disposed of the petition filed by Dr Cyriac Abby Philips who operates the widely popular X handle '@theliverdr', challenging an ex-parte order passed by the trial court suspending his X account. The trial court had passed the order on a suit filed by Himalaya Wellness Corporation which alleged that he made defamatory allegations against the company products.

A single judge bench of Justice S G Pandit recorded the consent given by the parties that they would make arguments on the applications before the trial court. Then it clarified that the “Interim order made by this court shall continue till orders are passed on IA no 1 and 2 in the suit filed before the court (trial court).”

The IAs are filed by Himalaya to restrain Dr. Philips from posting against them on social media.

The high court had vide its interim order passed on October 10 modified a trial court order suspending the account after he undertook to hide the alleged defamatory tweets against Himalaya Wellness Corporation and its products. Subsequently his account has been restored.

Himalaya has in its suit contended that Dr. Philips has been posting derogatory statements against the products of the company due to which it has lost substantial business.

Further it has claimed that the statements made by Dr. Philips is false and unjustified. The company also claims that the intention of the statements of Dr. Philips is to push the products of other companies like Cipla and Alchem.

Citation No: 2023 (Kar) LiveLaw 426

Case Title: Dr. CYRIAC ABBY PHILIPS And M/S HIMALAYA WELLNESS COMPANY

Case No: WP 22716/2023