Delhi HC again seeks response from YouTube channels over alleged misinformation about Aaradhya Bachchan

The Delhi High Court Monday once again issued notice to nine YouTube channels, including Bollywood Time, after restraining them from publishing misleading content on the health of Aaradhya Bachchan, the daughter of actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in 2023.

Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice on Monday, posting the matter next for consideration on March 17. The issuance of the notice comes after the nine YouTube channels failed to file their replies in response to Aaradhya’s petition. In her petition, Aaradhya had alleged the circulation of misleading information about her physical and mental well-being and morphed images by the media platforms.

In April 2023, the High Court directed Google to disclose to the plaintiffs — Aaradhya and her father Abhishek — the identity and contact details, as well as other details such as email IDs, IP addresses etc of 9 YouTube channels circulating the alleged misinformation, who were made parties to the petition. The court had also ordered Google to take down any video clip uploaded on its YouTube platform dealing with Aaradhya’s health, and also delist and deactivate the videos whose URLs were listed in the petition.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, too, was directed to block access to the contentious contents.