Aaradhya Bachchan case: Court forbids circulation of ‘false’ YouTube videos, says such actions ‘intolerable under law’

“Every child is entitled to be treated with honour and respect, be it child of celebrity or of a commoner,” the court shared even as the petitioner stated that the rumours continue to spread despite Aaradhya being in perfect health and attending the Dhirubhai International school in Mumbai for her classes. Aaradhya claimed via father Abhishek’s petition that such a thing is only being done for the sake of publicity.

The tabloid in question had apparently used morphed photos of the child and used them in their videos to circulate false news about Aaradhya. Summons were issued to nine YouTube channels in the matter as the court forbid further circulation of such content and said, “Though it’s not the first time such misleading information is circulated for celebrities, the videos of the child reflects a morbid perversity on part of those who are circulating with complete apathy to the interests of child in question…The defendants no 1-9 are also restrained from publishing or sharing of any videos which are identical or similar in content to the videos falling under subject matter of the said URLs. It is clarified that this would encompass all videos dealing with physical condition of plaintiff.”

Justic Hari Shankar also rebuked the said YouTube tabloids and asked them, “Why don’t you have some policy in these matters? You’re a YouTube platform, don’t you have some responsibility in such kind of things? You are providing a platform on which misleading information is circulating to public. How can this be tolerated?”

The case was adjourned for the day as the court said it will hear the matter again on July 13.