Relief To Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's Daughter: Delhi HC Directs Google, X To Remove 'Defamatory' Posts Doubting Her UPSC Qualification

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday closed the defamation suit filed by IRPS Officer and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's daughter, Anjali Birla, against social media posts alleging that she cleared UPSC exam in her first attempt by indulging in corrupt practices and misusing her father's position.Justice Jyoti Singh decreed Birla's suit filed against X, formerly Twitter, Google and John Doe (unknown entities).In July last year, a coordinate bench had passed an interim injunction order in favour of Birla and directed take down of the social media posts. The court had directed X Corp and Google to remove or block social media content against Birla, as complained by her in her defamation suit, till further orders.Decreeing the suit today, Justice Singh was informed by counsel for X that out of the 16 impugned posts in the suit, 12 were removed by the originators whereas access to the remaining 4 posts was blocked by the social media platform as per the interim injunction order. The Court decreed the suit while directing X to remove the remaining 4 social media posts. It added that in case Birla brings to the notice of X any identical posts, the same shall be removed by the social media platform. Furthermore, the Court directed Google to remove one post which was blocked pursuant to the interim order. The Court has left all questions of law raised by the parties open. Justice Singh noted that Birla did not press claim for damages or for refund of court fees. Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar appeared for Anjali Birla. The plaint was filed by Advocates Aditya Bharat Manubarwala and Sanyam Khetarpal.It was Birla's case that she is being character assassinated which is causing damage to her reputation as the social media posts, tweets, comments are full of innuendos, cheap remarks and serious imputations on her character and standing.She had also submitted that dissemination of the social media posts and tweets is adversely affecting her position in the public office.On Anjali Birla's complaint, an FIR was registered by Maharashtra Cyber Cell against Twitter handle of “Dhruv Rathee (Parody)” and various other accounts under Sections 78,79,318(2), 352, 356(2), 353(2) and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, 2023 along with section 66 (C) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Title: Anjali Birla v. X Corp. and Ors. Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 537

Relief To Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's Daughter: Delhi HC Directs Google, X To Remove 'Defamatory' Posts Doubting Her UPSC Qualification

Nupur Thapliyal

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