A Delhi Court summoned YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation suit filed by BJP Mumbai spokesperson Suresh Karamshi Nakhua. Nakhua alleged that Rathee referred to him as a part of “violent and abusive trolls” in his YouTube video titled “My Reply to Godi Youtubers | Elvish Yadav” uploaded on July 7, 2024.
In the plea filed in Delhi’s Saket Court by advocates Raghav Awasthi and Mukesh Sharma, Nakhua has sought Rs 20 lakh damages from Rathee for the defamation caused to him in cyberspace.
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Delhi court issues summons to YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation case filed by BJP leader Suresh Nakhua after Rathee allegedly called him a “violent and abusive” troll.@dhruv_rathee @SureshNakhua #Defamation pic.twitter.com/J1pvk8OtuA
District Judge Gunjan Gupta of Saket Courts issued the summons in the defamation suit filed against Rathee, as well as Google LLC and X Corp on July 19 and said that the matter will be heard next on August 6.
“Issue summons of the suit and notice of the application u/o 39 Rule 1 and 2 CPC to the defendants, subject to steps by all modes i.e. PF & RC/Speed Post/ Approved Courier including electronic mode for 06.08.2024. Process be also given dasti, as prayed,” the Court ordered.
In his petition, the BJP’s Mumbai unit spokesperson, Nakhua alleged that in the video in question, Rathee claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hosted “violent and abusive trolls like Ankit Jain, Suresh Nakhua, and Tajinder Bagga” at his official residence.
He further stated That Rathi’s claims were without any “rhyme or reason” and were intended to damage his reputation.
“That the Defendant No.1 [Dhruv Rathee], who in a highly provocative and incendiary video that spread like wildfire across digital platforms, made bold and unsubstantiated claims against the Plaintiff. The insidious intent behind this video lies in its unfounded insinuation that the Plaintiff is somehow linked to violent and abusive troll activities,” the suit argued.
“The video in question has received over 24 million views and more than 2.3 million likes, a number that continues to soar with every passing moment,” the suit states.
In light of Rathee’s claims, Nakhua said he had been subjected to a great deal of criticism and mockery. As a result, he asked the court to prevent Rathee from making any videos, tweets, or posts about Nakhua on YouTube or X Corp.
“That through this cunningly crafted video, a deliberate campaign to besmirch the Plaintiff’s integrity and reputation is apparent, as baseless accusations and malicious connections are artfully insinuated. The primary creator of this video that is Plaintiff seek not only to cast doubt on the Plaintiff’s character but also to tarnish his hard-earned standing in society, has planted seeds of suspicion and mistrust that can have far-reaching consequences. The repercussions of such false allegations are manifold, extending well beyond the realm of the video itself to irrevocably impact both the personal and professional domains of the Plaintiff, leaving scars that may never fully heal.”
Youtuber Dhruv Rathee’s YouTube video titled “My Reply to Godi Youtubers | Elvish Yadav” which was uploaded on July 7 can be viewed here.
