The Bombay High Court has ordered the removal of six allegedly defamatory videos targeting Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan.

The Court also restrained two YouTubers from publishing or circulating similar content while a civil defamation suit filed by Mahajan is pending.

Justice Arif Doctor, granting ad-interim relief on May 8, 2025, observed that the videos appeared prima facie to be defamatory. The Court noted that the YouTubers named in the suit had failed to appear and defend their actions, further strengthening the case for interim restraint.

According to Mahajan’s defamation plea, six videos posted between April 1 and April 14, 2025, contained a series of false and damaging claims. Five of these were uploaded on the YouTube channel “Anil Gaganbhedi Thatte,” operated by journalist Anil Thatte, and one appeared on the channel “Mudda Bharat Ka,” run by Shyam Giri.

Among the videos flagged was one titled “How Girish Mahajan’s Nights are Colourful,” which allegedly made baseless insinuations involving a senior IAS officer. Another video, titled “Girish Mahajan wants 100 Crores… another sensational revelation,” accused the minister of financial misconduct and mocked possible legal action.

Despite receiving a cease-and-desist notice on April 10, Thatte uploaded another video with disparaging remarks on April 14, prompting Mahajan to approach the Court.

Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam, appearing for Mahajan, described the videos as “false, reckless, and defamatory,” arguing that they were meant solely for sensationalism. He highlighted Mahajan’s long-standing public career as an elected representative from Jalgaon since 1995, emphasizing that the videos had garnered wide viewership and seriously harmed his reputation.

Kadam further argued that the defendants had shown "scant regard for the law" by continuing their conduct despite formal legal warnings. Neither Thatte nor Giri appeared in court. One misidentified party was allowed to be removed from the case, and Google LLC—operator of the YouTube platform—was added as a defendant.

The Court directed:

“Pending disposal of the present suit, Defendant No.1 and Defendant No.2 are restrained from in any manner making, publishing or republishing any defamatory and/or libellous or slanderous statements, videos or articles concerning the Plaintiff.”

It also ordered the immediate takedown of the six videos and directed that the order be served on Google LLC to ensure compliance.

The case is next scheduled to be heard on June 20, 2025.

Legal Representation:
Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam led the legal team for Girish Mahajan, along with advocates Mayur Khandeparkar, Rohan Kadam, Prahlad Paranjpe, Shubra Paranjpe, Rushikesh Mundargi, Manish Kelkar, Subir Sarkar, Ativ Patel, Harshad Vyas, Viloma Shah, Viraj Raiyani, and Yash Tembhe, instructed by AVP Partners.
Advocate Charu Shukla appeared for Google India Pvt. Ltd.