Delhi High Court bans defamatory posts against lawyer couple on social media

April 17, 2026

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order restraining certain unidentified social media accounts from posting defamatory and communally inflammatory content against a lawyer couple.

The court stated that the content was “highly objectionable” and could cause irreparable damage to their reputation.

Allegations of orchestrated campaign
A bench headed by Justice Subramonium Prasad issued this order on a petition filed by a Supreme Court lawyer and his wife seeking a permanent injunction and damages against X Corp, among others.

The petitioners alleged that a systematic defamatory campaign was being carried out against them by unidentified accounts through false and inflammatory posts.

Court declared the content serious
The court held that a prima facie case was made out and that such content could cause serious harm to the petitioners.

The court stated that the posts were communally inflammatory, obscene, and objectionable, including threats of violence.

Order to remove and block posts
The court directed all the accused and those concerned to immediately remove such content and refrain from posting further.

X Corp has also been directed to block such posts and prevent their re-circulation.

Reputation declared a fundamental right
The court stated that a person’s reputation is an essential part of their right to honor and life (Article 21).

The next hearing in the case will be on July 17, 2026, and this interim order will remain in effect until then.