A Rajasthan court has taken criminal cognizance against Drishti IAS founder Dr. Vikas Divyakirti for allegedly insulting the judiciary in a viral video. The court directed him to appear on July 22 and asked the police to investigate further.
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AJMER: 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.
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