Mumbai Court Restrains Instagram Influencer Ranting Gola From Posting 'Defamatory' Content Against Actor Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra
In a relief to Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra, a civil court in Mumbai on Friday (July 17) passed an order directing social media influencer Shamita Yadav, who is popularly known as "The Ranting Gola" to remove two alleged defamatory Instagram reels that she has posted against the couple.
Shetty alleged that Yadav–who has 1.6 million followers on Instagram, published two defamatory video reels on 10th and 12th February, falsely portraying Shetty and Kundra as criminals, persons bereft of honour, and persons who “go after minors". It was alleged that the content had been widely reposted and circulated; thus the plaintiffs sought for an injunction.
Judge Sudhirkumar Bukke held that the couple has made out a strong prima facie case against Yadav for posting "reels" and videos on her social media, which has been widely reposted and circulated on various other social media platforms, causing prejudice to their reputation.
"On perusal of the record, prima facie it appears that the Plaintiffs have instituted the present suit for perpetual and mandatory injunction alleging defamation, contending that Defendant No. 1 published defamatory content on Instagram. The impugned videos are prima facie not based on true facts. The Plaintiffs have demonstrated that the publications are false. The balance of convenience lies in favour of the Applicants. Defendant No. 1 cannot be permitted to publish false or exaggerated case law is applicable to the present Notice of Motion. In such circumstances, at this stage, the Plaintiffs are entitled to ad-interim temporary injunction restraining Defendant No. 1 from posting, publishing, or circulating defamatory content against the Plaintiffs until the next date of hearing," Judge Bukke said in the order.
Accordingly, the judge restrained Yadav or her agents and representatives till next date, from publishing any defamatory or scandalous content against them or their companies.
"The defendant no.1 shall withdraw and remove forthwith any defamatory contents annex Exh- B, C, D, E to the plaint from any and all social media platforms or any other medium," Judge Bukke ordered. Further a notice has been issued to Yadav and other John Doe defendants asking them to pull down the defamatory content.
Case Title: Shilpa Shetty Kundra vs Shamita Yadav (Notice of Motion 103547 of 2026)