Today, On 30th May, The Supreme Court ordered journalist Ajay Shukla to remove a video containing allegations against a judge. The court said, “Such scandalous allegations widely published on YouTube are likely to bring disrepute to the august institution of judiciary.”
New Delhi: The Supreme Court ordered Chandigarh–based journalist Ajay Shukla and his YouTube channel, The Principle (owned by Varprad Media India Private Limited), to remove a video featuring serious allegations against a senior Supreme Court judge.
A Bench comprised of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices Augustine George Masih and Atul S Chandrukar issued the directive, prohibiting the channel from publishing the video.
Also Read: Supreme Court Slams Journalist Ajay Shukla with Suo Motu Contempt for “Godi Judge” Remark
The Court stated,
“We direct the registry to register the case as suo motu contempt against Ajay Shukla. The YouTube channel shall be made a party respondent. Attorney General and Solicitor General are requested to assist the court. By ad interim order, we direct the YouTube channel to stop publication of the video and forthwith take down the video,”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta remarked to the Court,
“This is very serious. Grateful suo motu was taken,”
The Court emphasized that the video contained scandalous remarks about a senior judge of the apex court.
The Bench noted in its order,
“Mr Shukla in the said video clip has made scandalous observations about one of the senior judges of this court. Such scandalous allegations widely published on YouTube are likely to bring disrepute to the august institution of judiciary,”
The Court has initiated a suo motu criminal contempt case titled “In Re: Scandalous Remarks Made by Mr. Ajay Shukla, Editor-in-Chief, Varprad Media Pvt. Ltd., a Digital Channel.”
An analysis of Shukla’s YouTube channel revealed a recent video discussing the retirement of Justice Bela M Trivedi. The video’s caption referred to Justice Trivedi as a “Godi judge,” a term often used to describe individuals or institutions perceived to align with the interests of the Central government.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court acknowledged that while the Constitution of India guarantees free speech, this right cannot be exploited to make defamatory claims about judges.
The Court noted,
“No doubt constitution guarantees free speech, and expression. Such a right is restricted by reasonable restrictions and cannot be allowed to make defamatory allegations regarding judge of this court or contemptuous in nature which brings disrepute to the institute of judiciary,”
Case Title: IN RE: SCANDALOUS REMARKS MADE BY MR. AJAY SHUKLA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, VARPRAD MEDIA PVT. LTD., A DIGITAL CHANNEL vs. SMC(Crl) No. 000001 / 2025
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