Rajasthan High Court Today (July 23) stayed the defamation case against Drishti IAS founder Dr Vikas Divyakirti. The case was filed over his remarks in a viral video comparing IAS officers and judges.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan High Court stayed the ongoing defamation case against Dr Vikas Divyakirti, the founder of Drishti IAS, which was taking place in a trial court in Ajmer.
This decision was made by Justice Sameer Jain after Dr Divyakirti requested the court to cancel the defamation case filed against him.
The case was related to certain remarks Dr Divyakirti made during one of his lectures, which later appeared in a video posted online. These comments were seen by some as criticism of how the legal system and judiciary work in India. After watching the video, a lawyer from Ajmer filed a complaint in the local court.
The Ajmer court took note of this complaint and issued a summons, asking Dr Divyakirti to appear in court on July 22. Later, Dr Divyakirti filed a request to avoid appearing in person, so the court changed the date and asked him to appear on August 2 instead.
Dr Divyakirti was represented in the High Court by lawyers V R Bajwa and Sumeer Sodhi.
Advocate Sodhi explained the High Court’s decision by saying:
“The case arises out of certain statements allegedly made by Dr Divyakirti during one of his lectures. Observing such statements made in a closed environment cannot amount to defamation and Divyakirti had a fundamental right to express his opinions and views, the high court has stayed all proceedings”
Dr Divyakirti’s legal team argued that the criminal case filed against him was not necessary. His lawyer, Puneet Singhvi, told the High Court:
“We submitted that the comments made in the video did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments, and the initiation of criminal proceedings is legally flawed”
The controversy started from a video titled “IAS vs Judge – Who is More Powerful”, in which Dr Divyakirti discussed the responsibilities and authority of IAS officers compared to judges.
In the video, he said that IAS officers have more power in certain administrative matters. This video went viral online and received a lot of attention.
Later, an Ajmer-based advocate named Kamlesh Mandolia filed a defamation case. He claimed that Dr Divyakirti used insulting and sarcastic language against the judiciary. After reviewing the complaint, the local court partly accepted it and decided to move ahead with legal action by issuing summons.
The Judicial Magistrate, Manmohan Chandel, gave a 40-page detailed order where he agreed with some parts of the complaint. He also directed Dr Divyakirti to appear before the court for further proceedings.
PREVIOUSLY IN RAJASTHAN HC
Popular educationist and Drishti IAS founder Dr. Vikas Divyakirti on July 18th filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court. He wants the court to cancel a defamation case that was started against him in a trial court in Ajmer.
The legal case was filed by a local advocate. It is related to a video in which Dr. Divyakirti is accused of making controversial comments about the Indian judicial system. The advocate believes these comments hurt the dignity of the judiciary and filed a complaint in Ajmer’s subordinate court.
After receiving a summon from the Ajmer court, Dr. Divyakirti has now moved the High Court seeking relief. His petition argues that the video was misinterpreted and that there was no intention to insult the judiciary.
He claims his remarks were taken out of context and were not meant to offend anyone.
The case has attracted attention on social media, where Dr. Divyakirti has a large following. His supporters believe the complaint is an attempt to target him unfairly. However, legal experts say that the court will now examine whether the complaint holds any legal value or if it should be dismissed.
The Rajasthan High Court will soon hear arguments in the case and decide whether the Ajmer court’s summon should stand or be cancelled.
BACKGROUND
Rajasthan court has officially taken notice of a criminal complaint made against Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, the well-known founder of Drishti IAS, over serious allegations that he made insulting and offensive remarks against the Indian judiciary and judges in a viral online video.
The Ajmer Court, under the jurisdiction of Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Manmohan Chandel, carefully reviewed the statements made by Divyakirti in the video.
The Court firmly stated that these remarks do not fall under the right to free speech or academic criticism protected by the Indian Constitution. Instead, they are seen as deliberate and scandalous attacks meant to damage the reputation and authority of the judiciary.
The Court observed that Divyakirti’s tone was indecent and insulting, and his words targeted the entire judicial system. In its words:
“Prima facie, the offence under Section 353(2) and Sections 356(2) and 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66A(B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, appears to be made out against the accused. Hence, cognizance is hereby taken of the offences under the aforementioned sections.”
The Court has summoned Dr. Vikas Divyakirti to appear in person before the Court on July 22, 2025, and has also asked the Ajmer Police to conduct a thorough investigation.
This order came after a formal complaint filed by advocate Kamlesh Mandoliya, who strongly objected to a viral motivational video titled:
“IAS v/s Judge: Who is More Powerful. Best Guidance by Vikas Divyakirti sir Hindi Motivation”.
Mandoliya alleged that in this video, Dr. Divyakirti made disrespectful and offensive statements against the judiciary and the judges, which were not only false but also damaging to the trust people have in the justice system.
In the viral video, Dr. Divyakirti reportedly said:
“A District Judge is not a big deal… he eats alone… To become a High Court Judge, one has to lobby… distribute sweets, and still the file may not move,”
According to Mandoliya, such remarks are not only offensive to judges and lawyers but also deeply undermine the public’s trust in the judiciary, especially among aspiring civil servants who follow Divyakirti’s content.
He shared that he felt personally hurt and believed that the reputation and dignity of the judiciary had been publicly insulted in front of lakhs of viewers.
In response to these serious allegations, Dr. Divyakirti denied creating or authorising the video. He claimed he had no link with the YouTube channel that posted it, and it was likely that his speech was edited and used without permission by third parties.
He also argued that the statements were general observations made in public interest, especially on how judges are appointed, and that no specific person or group was targeted.
Dr. Divyakirti further defended his position, claiming the content — even if considered his own — was not defamatory under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He said it was protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, which grants the right to freedom of speech.
However, the Court rejected this argument. It pointed out that the video was publicly shared and widely circulated, especially among IAS aspirants, and mocked the judiciary in a disrespectful tone.
The Court expressed concern that more people are now using social media to attack and defame the judiciary for personal gain.
“Veiled threats, indecent behaviour, use of abusive language, maliciously attacking the judiciary as in the case in question, question the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, which results in distrust and doubt towards the judiciary among the general public and all this is done with the malicious intention of gaining petty fame and getting better ratings on social media. As has been done in the case in question,”
-the Court stated.
This case has now become a major talking point online, especially among UPSC aspirants and legal experts, who are closely watching how this legal action unfolds against one of India’s most followed educators.
CASE TITLE:
Kamlesh Mandoliya v. Vikas Divyakirti.
Would You Like Assistance In Drafting A Legal Notice Or Complaint?
CLICK HERE
Click Here to Read Our Reports on IAS Coaching
Click Here to Read Our Reports on Drishti IAS Founder Vikas Divyakirti
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
