New Delhi, July 31: The Delhi High Court has expanded its earlier interim order in favor of the Isha Foundation. The court directed online platforms to remove 39 short videos and 5 English videos that allegedly contain defamatory content against spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
Justice Subramonium Prasad issued this order based on an application filed by the Isha Foundation. The foundation sought clarification on the interim order issued on March 19, which had already mandated the removal of certain objectionable videos and articles.
The foundation argued that the March 19 order was limited to specific links mentioned in the interim petition. However, the 39 short videos and 5 English videos listed in paragraph 10 of the petition were not included, despite containing the same defamatory material as the previously restricted videos.
In response, the defendants opposed the application, claiming it was essentially a reconsideration petition aimed at expanding the scope of previously granted interim relief.
After hearing both parties, the court noted that although the application was filed under the guise of a “clarification,” it was, in fact, a request for “amendment.”
Justice Prasad stated that the relief sought was not outside the scope of the earlier interim order, as the content of the petition had already been included in the interim petition. “While this application is for clarification, it is essentially for amendment. The applicant is including links that were not mentioned in the stay application,” he remarked.
The court also pointed out that the objectionable material had already been deemed defamatory at first glance in the March 19 order, which referenced paragraph 10 of the petition.
Considering the necessary amendments to enforce its initial order, the Delhi High Court modified paragraphs 58 and 59 of the March 19 order.
Under the revised directives, defendants 2 and 3 are prohibited from creating, publishing, uploading, or broadcasting any defamatory material. Defendants 1 and 3 are also instructed to remove the objectionable videos and articles, along with the “39 short videos and 5 English videos” mentioned in paragraph 10 of the petition.
The court stated that this order should be read in conjunction with the March 19 order. The application has now been resolved, and the case will be heard again on August 5 before the roster bench.
The Isha Foundation filed this lawsuit, alleging that defamatory and misleading videos targeting Sadhguru are continuously being circulated on online platforms. On March 19, the Delhi High Court issued an interim order to remove the identified videos and prevent the dissemination of such content until the case is resolved.
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