In a Rs. 50 crore defamation suit involving a video essay on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani Group, the Calcutta High Court on October 26, 2026, directed social media platforms YouTube, Instagram, and X to block the video and submit confidential user information including IP logs under sealed cover.
- Court directs platforms to block video and freeze ad revenue
- User IP logs and access details to be submitted confidentially
- Video creator barred from sharing content, cites free speech concerns
What happened
The Calcutta High Court issued an ad-interim injunction ordering YouTube, Instagram, and X to block access to a video essay that alleges connections between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani Group. The order is part of a Rs. 50 crore defamation lawsuit filed by Adani Enterprises against Sabeer Bhatia, the creator of the video, as well as the platforms hosting it and unidentified individuals.
Besides disabling access to the video, the court instructed the platforms to freeze any advertisement revenue generated from it. Additionally, the platforms must preserve subscriber information, IP logs at the time of upload and access, and submit this data in a sealed cover to the court within two weeks, protecting sensitive information from public or opposing party scrutiny.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing tensions in India around defamation, political discourse, and digital platform responsibilities. The court’s order to block and extract detailed user data raises questions regarding free speech, privacy, and platform liability in India’s legal context.
Critics argue that the use of sealed covers and injunctions could undermine open court principles and restrict constitutional rights to free expression. The video creator has voiced concerns this judgment threatens democratic values by silencing public debate and citizen journalism on politically sensitive topics.
What to watch next
The Calcutta High Court will revisit the case in January 2027 for a more comprehensive hearing. Observers will monitor how the court balances defamation claims with protections for free speech as well as how platforms handle compliance with sealed cover directives without compromising user privacy.
Additionally, the ruling could set precedent for how Indian courts manage politically charged digital content and anonymous user data requests. The evolving legal standards may influence the responsibilities and risk exposure of social media intermediaries operating in India’s increasingly complex regulatory landscape.