Delhi court has summoned YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation case filed by Naveen Kumar Jindal, a leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Jindal alleges that Rathee made defamatory comments in one of his YouTube videos. The summons means Rathee must appear in court to address these allegations. Defamation involves making statements that can harm someone’s reputation, and if proven, can lead to penalties such as fines or imprisonment.
Suresh Karamshi Nakhua, a spokesperson for the Mumbai unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has filed a defamation case against YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. Nakhua alleges that Rathee referred to him as a “violent and abusive” troll in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Nakhua’s claim is that these comments harmed his reputation, which led him to pursue legal action. Defamation involves making false statements that damage someone’s public image. In this case, Nakhua is seeking to address the impact of Rathee’s remarks through the courts, asserting that such comments were both misleading and damaging to his standing.
On July 19, District Judge Gunjan Gupta of the Saket Court issued an order summoning Dhruv Rathee in connection with the defamation case filed by Suresh Karamshi Nakhua, a spokesperson for the BJP’s Mumbai unit. The order requires Rathee to appear in court to respond to the allegations made by Nakhua, who claims that Rathee’s remarks in a YouTube video were defamatory.
In addition to the summons, the court also issued a notice to Rathee regarding Nakhua’s request for interim relief. Interim relief refers to temporary measures or protections sought while the case is ongoing. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 6, when it will further address Nakhua’s plea for such relief and continue with the proceedings related to the defamation case.
“Issue summons of the suit and notice of the application u/o 39 Rule 1 and 2 CPC to the defendants, subject to steps by all modes i.e. PF & RC/Speed Post/ Approved Courier including electronic mode for 06.08.2024. Process be also given dasti, as prayed,” the court said in its order.
In his legal complaint, Suresh Karamshi Nakhua claims that Dhruv Rathee made false and serious accusations in a YouTube video, calling him part of “violent and abusive trolls.” Nakhua argues that these claims are groundless and damaging to his reputation. He believes that the video hurt his public image and is seeking legal action to address the situation.
“That through this cunningly crafted video, a deliberate campaign to besmirch the Plaintiff’s (Suresh Karamshi Nakhua) integrity and reputation is apparent, as baseless accusations and malicious connections are artfully insinuated. The primary creator of this video that is Plaintiff seek not only to cast doubt on the Plaintiff’s character but also to tarnish his hard-earned standing in society, has planted seeds of suspicion and mistrust that can have far-reaching consequences. The repercussions of such false allegations are manifold, extending well beyond the realm of the video itself to irrevocably impact both the personal and professional domains of the Plaintiff, leaving scars that may never fully heal.”