Overview
- The interim order, issued March 20, directs X, Google and Meta to remove flagged posts and restrains several defendants from posting similar allegations until the next hearing in May.
- Justice Vikas Mahajan said coverage and posts went beyond the FIR and labeled the plaintiff a “molester,” which he warned undermines the presumption of innocence and risks prejudicing the probe.
- The court rebuked actor Richa Chadha for reposting the claim with “Make him famous,” calling it digital vigilantism and stressing that public figures must verify serious accusations before amplifying them.
- The dispute began on March 11 when a journalist alleged in-flight misconduct on a Delhi–Mumbai IndiGo route and posted the man’s name, photograph and workplace at 9:39 am before the FIR at 12:27 pm.
- The plaintiff, identified in reports as a PwC partner, denies wrongdoing, says he was asleep, seeks Rs 2.01 crore in damages, and cites reputational harm including suspension from his workplace.