New Delhi

The Delhi High Court has directed Google LLC and other defendants to remove 39 short videos and five English-language videos in a defamation suit filed by Isha Foundation, modifying its earlier interim order to clarify that these videos are also covered by the takedown directions.

Justice Subramonium Prasad passed the order while allowing an application filed by Isha Foundation seeking modification of the Court's March 19 order, which had restrained the publication of defamatory content and directed the removal of certain videos and articles.

The Court directed Defendants No. 1 and 3 to take down the impugned videos and articles mentioned in the earlier order, along with the 39 short videos and five English-language videos referred to in paragraph 10 of the plaint. It also continued the restraint on Defendants No. 2 and 3 from creating, publishing, uploading or sharing any such defamatory content until the next date of hearing.

Isha Foundation told the Court that while the earlier order referred to the videos mentioned in the injunction application, it did not specifically include the 39 short videos and five English-language videos listed in the plaint, even though they contained the same content.

The defendants opposed the plea, arguing that the Foundation was effectively seeking a review of the earlier order and trying to expand the scope of the interim injunction.

The High Court held that although the application was described as one seeking clarification, it was actually for modification. However, it found that the additional videos were already linked to the original injunction application because it had incorporated the relevant part of the plaint. The Court said the modification was necessary to give full effect to its earlier order and allowed the application.

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The Court directed that the present order be read together with its March 19 order and listed the matter before the roster bench on August 5.