The Delhi High Court ordered Telugu actor Manoj Manchu, ‘X’ and few media houses to take down tweets, posts, articles and videos containing statements against media professional Vinay Maheshwari. The Court granted ex-parte interim injunction in favour of Maheshwari who moved the Court alleging defamation by Manchu.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court directed Telugu actor Manoj Manchu, social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), and several media outlets to take down tweets, articles, videos, and posts containing allegations against media professional Vinay Maheshwari.
The decision comes after Maheshwari moved the Court claiming defamation.
The Court, under Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, issued an ex-parte interim injunction in favor of Maheshwari. The Judge found Manchu’s tweets to be defamatory on a prima facie basis and ordered their removal within a week.
Manchu was also barred from posting or sharing any further defamatory content about Maheshwari or his family on social media, messaging apps, or public platforms.
The Court noted:
“These statements, made without any substantiation, are prima facie defamatory, as they allege unethical and illegal behavior, harming the plaintiff’s professional reputation and personal standing. The allegations of malicious intent and interference in family matters portray the Plaintiff in a negative light, leading to a significant loss of goodwill and public trust.”
Additionally, the Court directed platforms such as ABP Network, GreatAndhra, IndiaGlitz, Onmanorama, and TeluguOne to remove all allegedly defamatory articles and ensure these are not accessible through archives or databases.
Social media platform X was also instructed to ensure the tweets in question were removed. Regarding Hindustan Times, the Court noted their undertaking to contact Maheshwari and publish his version or clarification if necessary.
The Court emphasized:
“In cases involving digital platforms, the widespread and lasting impact of defamatory statements is a crucial factor to be considered by the Court while granting or refusing ad-interim injunctions.”
- Vinay Maheshwari: A respected media professional who has held senior roles at organizations like Dainik Bhaskar Group, Sakshi Media Group, and India TV.
- Manoj Manchu: A Telugu actor and son of actor Mohan Babu.
Maheshwari alleged that Manchu had tweeted defamatory statements accusing him of financial misconduct and interference in family matters, damaging his personal and professional reputation.
According to Maheshwari, these allegations were amplified further by articles and videos published by media houses, digital platforms, and individuals, creating a negative perception of him. The Court agreed, observing:
“The above acts by the Defendants collectively prima facie create a sustained and defamatory narrative against the Plaintiff. These allegations, allegedly unsupported by any evidence, have prima facie potential of causing irreparable harm to the plaintiff’s professional and personal reputation.”
The case has been listed for further hearing before the Joint Registrar (Judicial) on February 17, 2025.
Legal Representation
- For Maheshwari: Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak along with advocates Rohit Jain, Avinash Kumar Sharma, Aslam Ahmad, Neha Khanduri, and Komal Sharma.
- For Google LLC: Advocates Aditya Gupta and Asavari Jain.
- For HT Media Ltd: Advocate Amit Bajaj.
CASE TITLE:
Mr Vinay Maheshwari Vs. Mr Manoj Manchu & Ors.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Manoj Manchu
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
