Delhi HC orders removal of defamatory video on Ram Rahim Singh

The Delhi High Court has mandated journalist and YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh to withdraw a video concerning Dera Saccha Sauda Chief Ram Rahim Singh from all social media platforms, deeming it prima facie defamatory.

Following a defamation suit filed by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the court directed Singh to take down the video within 24 hours. Simultaneously, it granted Singh the liberty to re-upload a revised video, accompanied by a disclaimer referencing content from the trial court's judgement on Rahim's conviction and the book titled "Dera Sacha Sauda and Gurmeet Ram Rahim" by Anurag Tripathi.

Emphasising the absence of a disclaimer in the contentious video, the court acknowledged that it included material derived from the trial court's verdict and excerpts from the aforementioned book.

Expressing concerns regarding the global accessibility and potential influence on the right to a fair trial, especially during Singh's appeal against conviction, Ram Rahim Singh's counsel highlighted apprehensions about the video's impact.

Singh's counsel defended the video's content, asserting it merely cited material from the trial court's judgement and the specified book.

Earlier on Monday, the court admonished Singh for altering the video's visibility to private mode, considering it a compelled action. The judge conveyed displeasure over Meera's tweets against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief and urged him to respect the court's dignity, warning of contempt if such instances recurred.

Vacation judge Manoj Jain had previously directed Singh to remove specific tweets but refrained from issuing directives to delete the YouTube video in question.

The legal action initiated by Ram Rahim stems from a video uploaded on December 17, 2023, titled "How Gurmeet Ram Rahim fooled his bhakts?" wherein Meera alleges deceit by Ram Rahim towards his followers.

The court has set the next hearing on January 10, considering Meera's counsel's request for time to file a reply. Ram Rahim's plea for interim directions will be deliberated upon post the submission of the counsels' replies.

Advocate Rajat Aneja, representing Ram Rahim, highlighted Meera's refusal to delete the video despite receiving a legal notice, citing the defendant's intent to contest the case in court.

Justice Shalinder Kaur previously issued a notice to the YouTuber, specifying the serving of notice through email and WhatsApp, and scheduled the case for further hearing on December 30.