Aaradhya Bachchan Fights Back Against Fake News, Delhi High Court Seeks Google’s Reply {update}

In April 2023, the Delhi High Court had already issued an order restricting these channels from posting such misleading content. The court called it a “morbid” act, stressing that spreading lies about a child’s health for views and profits is unacceptable. Google was also instructed to remove these videos from YouTube.

Despite the order, certain YouTube channels failed to respond in court. Aaradhya’s legal team has now asked for an ex-parte ruling, meaning a decision could be made without hearing from those who refused to participate. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17.

Court’s Take on the Matter

Justice Mini Pushkarna, who is handling the case, has sent a notice to Google regarding Aaradhya’s plea. The application seeks a summary judgment, meaning the court could rule in her favor without a lengthy trial since the accused channels did not appear to defend themselves.

The lawsuit highlights how damaging false information can be, especially when it involves a minor. It argues that Aaradhya’s right to privacy has been violated and that the false reports harm the reputation of the Bachchan family. It also points out that the Bachchan name is widely recognized and should be protected from such baseless claims.

Who’s Being Held Responsible?

Among the channels named in the lawsuit are Bollywood Time, Bolly Pakora, Bolly Samosa, and Bollywood Shine. These platforms allegedly created and shared videos that contained completely false information about Aaradhya’s health. The court had earlier directed these channels to stop posting such misleading content, but some have ignored the legal proceedings.

Why Does This Matter?

This case is not just about Aaradhya Bachchan. It raises bigger concerns about fake news, online privacy, and how social media platforms handle misinformation. With millions of people relying on YouTube for news and entertainment, unchecked false claims can quickly spread and cause real harm.

This is not the first time celebrities have faced issues with fake news. However, since Aaradhya is a minor, the situation is even more serious. Spreading false information about a child’s health is not just unethical but can also have legal consequences.

Google’s Role in This Issue

Google, which owns YouTube, plays a crucial role in moderating content on the platform. The company has taken steps to remove misleading videos in the past, but the lawsuit questions whether their current policies are enough. The High Court’s response to Aaradhya’s plea may set an important precedent on how tech giants should handle such cases in the future.

What Happens Next?

With the next hearing set for March 17, it remains to be seen how the court will proceed. If Aaradhya’s request for an ex-parte ruling is granted, the court could pass a judgment in her favor without waiting for the YouTube channels to respond. This could result in stricter measures against such misleading content.

For now, Aaradhya and her family continue their fight against online misinformation. The outcome of this case could bring stronger protections against fake news and set a new standard for digital privacy in India.

Aaradhya Bachchan, daughter of Bollywood stars Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, is fighting back against misleading information about her health circulating online. The Delhi High Court has asked Google to respond to her request for action against certain YouTube channels that ignored legal proceedings.

What’s the Case About?

Aaradhya and her father, Abhishek Bachchan, have filed a lawsuit against several YouTube channels spreading false claims about her health. Some of these channels falsely reported that she was critically ill, while others went as far as declaring her dead.

In April 2023, the Delhi High Court had already issued an order restricting these channels from posting such misleading content. The court called it a “morbid” act, stressing that spreading lies about a child’s health for views and profits is unacceptable. Google was also instructed to remove these videos from YouTube.

Despite the order, certain YouTube channels failed to respond in court. Aaradhya’s legal team has now asked for an ex-parte ruling, meaning a decision could be made without hearing from those who refused to participate. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17.

Court’s Take on the Matter

Justice Mini Pushkarna, who is handling the case, has sent a notice to Google regarding Aaradhya’s plea. The application seeks a summary judgment, meaning the court could rule in her favor without a lengthy trial since the accused channels did not appear to defend themselves.

The lawsuit highlights how damaging false information can be, especially when it involves a minor. It argues that Aaradhya’s right to privacy has been violated and that the false reports harm the reputation of the Bachchan family. It also points out that the Bachchan name is widely recognized and should be protected from such baseless claims.

Who’s Being Held Responsible?

Among the channels named in the lawsuit are Bollywood Time, Bolly Pakora, Bolly Samosa, and Bollywood Shine. These platforms allegedly created and shared videos that contained completely false information about Aaradhya’s health. The court had earlier directed these channels to stop posting such misleading content, but some have ignored the legal proceedings.

Why Does This Matter?

This case is not just about Aaradhya Bachchan. It raises bigger concerns about fake news, online privacy, and how social media platforms handle misinformation. With millions of people relying on YouTube for news and entertainment, unchecked false claims can quickly spread and cause real harm.

This is not the first time celebrities have faced issues with fake news. However, since Aaradhya is a minor, the situation is even more serious. Spreading false information about a child’s health is not just unethical but can also have legal consequences.

Google’s Role in This Issue

Google, which owns YouTube, plays a crucial role in moderating content on the platform. The company has taken steps to remove misleading videos in the past, but the lawsuit questions whether their current policies are enough. The High Court’s response to Aaradhya’s plea may set an important precedent on how tech giants should handle such cases in the future.

What Happens Next?

With the next hearing set for March 17, it remains to be seen how the court will proceed. If Aaradhya’s request for an ex-parte ruling is granted, the court could pass a judgment in her favor without waiting for the YouTube channels to respond. This could result in stricter measures against such misleading content.

For now, Aaradhya and her family continue their fight against online misinformation. The outcome of this case could bring stronger protections against fake news and set a new standard for digital privacy in India.