The petitioner claims that the video contains statements that are “patently false, misleading and deliberately distorted” and capable of promoting communal disharmony
The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Centre’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) to decide within 15 days an appeal seeking the removal of a YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who has challenged the continued public availability of the video on YouTube. The court also cautioned that any disregard of its order would be viewed seriously.
The petition
Ms. Sachdeva, in her petition, contends that the video, uploaded on March 21, 2026, contains statements that are “patently false, misleading and deliberately distorted” and capable of promoting communal disharmony.
She sought either a direction to the GAC, which falls under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to decide the pending appeal or, alternatively, an order directing the removal of the video from YouTube.
Court hearing
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma argued that either YouTube should remove the video or the court should pass appropriate directions for its takedown, contending that the content disparages Hindu deities.
Google’s counsel stated that the company had already responded to Ms. Sachdeva’s grievance and that she had subsequently filed an appeal before the GAC, which remains pending.
Taking note of the submissions, the court directed the GAC to dispose of the appeal within 15 days.
Timeline of complaints
According to the petition, Ms. Sachdeva initially lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell on March 22, 2026, followed by a grievance before YouTube’s Resident Grievance Officer on March 23.
Aggrieved by the non-action of YouTube, Ms. Sachdeva filed an appeal before the GAC. After YouTube declined to remove the content, stating that they are unable to identify any violations of their community guidelines, Ms. Sachdeva approached the GAC on March 27.
The petition alleges that despite the Information Technology rules requiring appeals to be resolved expeditiously, preferably within 30 days, the appeal remained undecided for more than two and a half months.
Criminal proceedings
The petition further states that parallel criminal proceedings are also under way. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Saket Courts, on June 9 called for an Action Taken Report from the Delhi Police on her application seeking registration of an FIR.
