Telangana High Court Restrains 'Defamatory' Content Against Two Developers Over Alleged Encroachment On Govt Land

The Telangana High Court has passed interim orders restraining publication of allegedly defamatory content against two developers–Prestige Acres Private Limited and Vaishnaoi Developers (India) Private Limited, by YouTube channels and social media accounts over allegation of encroaching upon graveyard and endowment lands. The court passed the order after prima facie finding that videos circulated through YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp were defamatory. It held that such content could not be effectively monitored or curtailed unless an interim restraint order was passed and directed that the injunction would continue until the respondents entered appearance or until further orders.Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya observed in both matters:"Upon hearing the submissions and perusing the material available on record, this Court is of the view that YouTube-DSK D6 News (Interviews 1 & 2) and CVR News video published on YouTube/Facebook and circulated via WhatsApp have streamed the alleged defamatory content which cannot [be] monitored or curtailed unless the Court issues an appropriate order barring streaming of such defamatory content. This Court is of the view that the content published on YouTube-DSK D6 News (Interviews 1 & 2) and CVR News video is defamatory and as such, the respondents should be restrained from further publishing of any defamatory content against the petitioner." The orders were passed in two interlocutory applications bearing CRP No. 2316 of 2026 (Prestige Acres) and CRP No. 2317 of 2026 (Vaishnaoi Developers), arising from separate suits pending before the X Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ranga Reddy District at Rajendranagar. According to the petitioners, respondent No. 1, along with his wife, a former Corporator, made allegations on social media claiming that the developers had encroached upon graveyard and Endowment lands at Mamidipally Village. The petitioners alleged that the interviews conducted by respondent No. 2 on the YouTube channel DSK D6 News, along with videos published by CVR News and circulated through Facebook and WhatsApp, contained false and defamatory statements that damaged their reputation and goodwill. Before the High Court, the petitioners relied on a report dated 17 July 2025 submitted by the Tahsildar, Balapur Mandal, to the Revenue Divisional Officer. According to the petitioners, the report examined the allegations relating to encroachment of graveyard land, Endowment land and other survey numbers, and found that the allegations were unfounded. The report recorded that Survey Nos. 111 and 122 were patta lands, there was no encroachment of the graveyard in Survey No. 114, and an earlier NOC issued by the Irrigation Department clarified that Survey No. 32 was outside the canal area, feeder channel and buffer zone. Senior counsel for the petitioners also translated the contents of the impugned videos for the Court. After examining the material, the Court held that the publications were prima facie defamatory. It observed that unless restrained by judicial intervention, the online dissemination of the content could not be effectively monitored or curtailed. Accordingly, the High Court issued notice to the respondents and, pending service, restrained them, their agents and anyone claiming through them from making, publishing, uploading, telecasting or re-telecasting any defamatory news items, videos, images or sound bites concerning the petitioners on YouTube, social media platforms, websites or any other media platform. The interim protection will remain in force until the respondents present their case or until further orders, whichever is later. Cases: Prestige Acres Private Limited v. Maddi Rajashekar Reddy & Ors. — I.A. No. 2 of 2026 in CRP No. 2316 of 2026; Vaishnaoi Developers (India) Private Limited v. Maddi Rajashekar Reddy & Ors. — I.A. No. 2 of 2026 in CRP No. 2317 of 2026.Appearance: Sri Avinash Desai, representing Sri M. Pranav, for Prestige Acres; Sri M. Pranav for Vaishnaoi Developers.Click Here To Read/Download OrderClick Here To Read/Download Order

Telangana High Court Restrains 'Defamatory' Content Against Two Developers Over Alleged Encroachment On Govt Land

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Telangana High Court Restrains 'Defamatory' Content Against Two Developers Over Alleged Encroachment On Govt Land

Ananya Tangri

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