Delhi High Court Orders Take Down Of Abusive Social Media Posts Against PhysicsWallah By Former Employee

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed removal or take down of abusive and derogatory social media posts made against online education platform PhysicsWallah, by a former employee.

Justice Jyoti Singh passed the interim injunction order in a defamation suit filed by PhysicsWallah against Nikhil Kumar Singh and social media platforms.

PhysicsWallah has sought Rs. 2 crore from Singh for defamation.

Appearing for the education platform, Senior Advocate Amit Sibal said that it was not only a case of defamation but of abuse where Singh, an ex employee, has called PhysicsWallah a scam.

He said that the YouTube videos and social media posts made by Singh were grossly defamatory.

“He says I am a tree of nepotism…My employees are named and all sorts of things are said,” Sibal said.

Sibal said that PhysicsWallah was also alleging trademark infringement where its trademark was being tarnished by Singh.

On this, the judge told Singh's counsel: “Your client's dictionary perhaps knows only abuses. And you want to defend this?”

Singh's counsel placed reliance on various third parties and media reports containing adverse comments on PhysicsWallah. He said that even those should be made defendants in the matter.

Responding, the judge remarked:

“Who permits you to be abusive?…. You make a statement that you will take this down and refrain from doing this in future. Because if I am going to injunct you, I will make some strong observations. And it is not going to be a simple matter.”

Thereafter, the Court asked Sibal to give a list of the impugned links and posts so that an interim order of take down may be passed.

The Court asked Singh's counsel to file written submissions in the suit within 30 days, and reply to the interim injunction application within two weeks.

Title: PHYSICSWALLAH LIMITED v. NIKHIL KUMAR SINGH & ORS