In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to Google, BollywoodTime, and other websites in response to an application filed by Aaradhya Bachchan, the daughter of actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The application seeks a summary judgment concerning the dissemination of misleading information about her in the media.
Justice Mini Pushkarna presided over the brief hearing, during which the court acknowledged that certain defendants, referred to as “vitiators and uploaders,” have yet to make an appearance in the case. Consequently, their right to defend has been forfeited. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 17.
This legal action underscores the Bachchan family’s commitment to safeguarding the privacy and well-being of their minor daughter, Aaradhya. Previously, in April 2023, the Delhi High Court had restrained various YouTube channels from disseminating false information regarding Aaradhya’s health. The court emphasized that every child, whether a celebrity’s offspring or not, is entitled to be treated with honor and respect. Circulating misleading information about a child’s physical and mental health was deemed completely impermissible in law.
In that instance, the court directed YouTube to immediately delist 24 identified videos containing false information about Aaradhya. Additionally, YouTube was instructed to provide the plaintiffs with details such as contact information and email addresses of the defendants responsible for uploading the defamatory content. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) was also directed to ensure that the offending videos were made inaccessible on the internet.
The current application for summary judgment indicates the Bachchan family’s ongoing efforts to address and curb the spread of false and defamatory content about Aaradhya. The outcome of the forthcoming hearing on March 17 will be pivotal in determining the legal recourse available to protect the privacy and reputation of minors in the public eye.
This case also highlights the broader issue of misinformation in the digital age, especially concerning minors. It underlines the need for stringent regulations and accountability mechanisms for digital platforms to prevent the spread of false information that can harm individuals’ reputations and well-being.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on balancing the right to freedom of expression with the need to protect individuals, particularly minors, from harmful and misleading content. The court’s decisions in this matter could set significant precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future.
