The Delhi High Court has ordered Google Inc. and X Corp (formerly known as Twitter) to remove posts that falsely allege that Anjali Birla, the daughter of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, passed the UPSC exams on her first attempt due to her father's influence. This interim order was issued by Justice Navin Chawla, directing the removal of the posts within 24 hours. Additionally, the court has restrained unidentified defendants from making any defamatory allegations related to this matter.
Anjali Birla, an Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer, filed a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of these social media posts. Her legal representative, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, highlighted that various posts are spreading misleading and false information about her, which are defamatory in nature.
The lawsuit states that the allegations being disseminated are false and baseless, with the clear intention of unlawfully damaging Anjali Birla's reputation and standing through defamatory narratives. The plaintiff believes that these allegations are made without any basis in truth or evidence, solely to create controversies against the present government, particularly targeting her.
The suit further contends that several individuals are attempting to destroy Anjali Birla's professional reputation without any evidence, solely to create controversies against the current government.
This lawsuit aims to prevent the defendants from misusing and tarnishing the reputation of Anjali Birla and her family members, including her father, Om Birla, who is the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha of India. The plaintiff argues that there is a deliberate intention to spread false and disparaging information, which could harm their reputations.
Anjali Birla, through a representative, recently filed a complaint with the Inspector General of Police, Cyber Cell, Maharashtra, against several Twitter account holders and others, both known and unknown. The complaint cites offences punishable under sections 61, 78, 318, 351, 352, and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, as amended in 2008.
Based on this complaint, an FIR was registered on July 5, 2024, under sections 78, 79, 318(2), 352, 356(2), 353(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, 2023, along with Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, as amended in 2008. This FIR was filed against X Corp and others by the Cyber Cell, Maharashtra.
The false allegations against Anjali Birla claim that she benefited from her father's influence in passing the UPSC exams. These baseless claims have been widely shared on social media, leading to significant damage to her reputation. The court's directive to remove these posts is a step towards addressing the defamation and protecting her professional integrity.
Anjali Birla's case underscores the growing concern over the misuse of social media platforms to spread false information and defame individuals without evidence. The court's order serves as a reminder of the legal recourse available to individuals who find themselves targets of such malicious campaigns. It also highlights the responsibility of social media platforms to monitor and take down defamatory content promptly.
The legal battle initiated by Anjali Birla aims to restore her reputation and hold accountable those spreading false allegations. It reflects a broader issue of how social media can be misused to defame individuals and create unwarranted controversies.
As the legal proceedings continue, this case may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, emphasising the importance of truth and accountability in online content.
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