Delhi Court Summons YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in BJP Leader’s Defamation Case
Delhi Court Summons YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in BJP Leader's Defamation Case
A Delhi court has issued a summons to YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation case brought by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suresh Karamshi Nakhua. Rathee is accused of referring to Nakhua as a “violent and abusive” troll in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.
District Judge Gunjan Gupta of the Saket Court issued the order on July 19, also addressing Nakhua’s plea for interim relief. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on August 6.
“Issue summons of the suit and notice of the application under Order 39 Rule 1 and 2 CPC to the defendants, subject to steps by all modes, i.e., PF & RC/Speed Post/Approved Courier, including electronic mode for 06.08.2024. Process be also given dasti, as prayed,” the Court stated.
Nakhua, the spokesperson for the BJP’s Mumbai unit, alleges that Rathee’s video, titled “My Reply to Godi Youtubers | Elvish Yadav | Dhruv Rathee,” posted on July 7, 2024, unfairly labels him as part of “violent and abusive trolls.” Nakhua contends that these allegations are baseless and damaging to his reputation.
“The Defendant No.1 [Dhruv Rathee], in a highly provocative and incendiary video that spread like wildfire across digital platforms, made bold and unsubstantiated claims against the Plaintiff,” the suit argues. “The insidious intent behind this video lies in its unfounded insinuation that the Plaintiff is somehow linked to violent and abusive troll activities.”
Nakhua asserts that Rathee’s allegations have led to widespread condemnation and ridicule, severely impacting his personal and professional life. He claims the video is part of a deliberate campaign to tarnish his reputation, planting seeds of suspicion and mistrust that could have long-lasting effects.
Advocates Raghav Awasthi and Mukesh Sharma are representing Nakhua in this case.
