Delhi HC Directs Journalist To Remove 'Defamatory' Video Against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

The court provided journalist Shyam Meera Singh the option to re-upload a modified video, accompanied by disclaimers regarding the sources of his claims.

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The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed a journalist to remove a video from social media that contained defamatory remarks about Dera Sacha Sauda leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, news agency PTI reported. 

According to the report, while addressing a legal complaint from the incarcerated religious figure, Justice Jasmeet Singh stated that the video appeared to be defamatory on its face. However, the court provided journalist Shyam Meera Singh the option to re-upload a modified video, accompanied by disclaimers regarding the sources of his claims, it added. 

The complaint highlighted that the video, named "How Gurmeet Ram Rahim fooled his followers?", allegedly made derogatory statements about Singh's purported ties with an individual associated with terrorism. The video's content raised concerns about potentially compromising Singh's right to a fair trial and his standing, the report said. 

In defence, the journalist's legal representative indicated that the video had referenced details from a trial court's verdict concerning Singh and a publication titled "Dera Sacha Sauda and Gurmeet Ram Rahim" penned by Anurag Tripathi, as per the report. 

Justice Singh's directive said, "The content appears to be defamatory at first glance. Defendant no. 2 (Shyam Meera Singh) must remove the video from defendant no. 1 (YouTube) and has the option to repost it, provided disclaimers specify the sourced materials," according to PTI. The court further stipulated that the removal from all social media platforms should be executed within a 24-hour window, the report added further. 

This judicial decision followed an application for interim relief within an ongoing lawsuit. Notably, in recent years, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has faced multiple legal convictions. In 2021, he received a conviction alongside four others for planning the assassination of Dera manager Ranjit Singh. Additionally, in 2019, he was found guilty in connection with a journalist's murder from over 16 years prior, and in 2017, he received a 20-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting two disciples.